We all have a little trouble focusing so we can get tasks accomplished.  Sometimes you just don't know where to start.  I have had so many things to do the past couple of weeks that I felt like I was just standing still.  If you don’t have the follow-through to see your projects to completion, then it’s high time we both stop and take some time creating goals. Here are specific steps that have helped me in the past and that you can take to set smart goals that are achievable.  

1. Be specific. Until you have a measurable goal, chances are you will always fall short of reaching that goal. By measurable I mean you should be able to look at your ultimate goal and lay out a step-by-step process to reach that goal.

Examples of poorly stated goals:
·    I want to make more money.
·    I need more time in my day.
·    I wish I were skinnier.
      
Examples of specific goals:
·    I want to earn $500 each month.
·    I need 2 extra hours of free time 3 days per week.
·    I would like to lose 20 pounds.

2. Break the bigger goal down into bite-sized chunks. As someone once aptly put it, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” This holds true for your goals, too. Once you have a precise goal, you can break it down into smaller, easy-to-attain goals, or a to-do list.

Having a simple to-do list takes the pressure off trying to be perfect or do too much at once. Plus, it gives you a simple road map to follow so you don’t get sidetracked along the way.

Let’s take one of my examples of a precise goal from above and see just how to make it work with a to-do list.  

My Goal: I will lose 20 pounds in two months.
Note: First, we have the ultimate goal-lose 20 pounds. Then we add a time frame-two months. This is a clear and precise goal. Minus twenty pounds is where you want to be. A two-month time frame makes your goal doable-that’s 2.5 pounds on average per week.

Now let’s break it down a bit. How can we lose twenty pounds? What steps will we need to take?

·    Drink more water every day.
·    Eliminate all junk food.
·    Exercise every day.

Now, notice that while these three action steps are completely doable, they are still too vague. So now it’s time to build our to-do list, using these three steps, but add more detail and action words to make them more realistic.

To-do list for Losing 20 Pounds in 2 Weeks

·    Drink 6-8 glasses of water every day.
·    Throw away all potato chips and candy in pantry.
·    Reduce caffeine by half every day.
·    Purchase a membership at the gym and work out 20 minutes every day for 5 days.

Don’t these small steps seem so much easier? That’s because they are! When you think about the big picture, losing 20 pounds might seem so scary that you tell yourself you might as well just forget about it. But when you take a few minutes to sit down and break it up into small, simple chunks, you will become more motivate and much more likely to follow through.

Making goals a short-term project makes them more easily attainable because they can often be completed in as little as a few hours or a couple of weeks. They are “right now” goals. Here are some tips for setting your short-term goals:

·    Set a time frame. Before you start setting goals, make sure you define a timeline. How long will it take you to reach your goal? Days? Hours? Weeks? Have a specific time frame in which you can accomplish your goal.

·    Be realistic. Don’t attempt to do more than you realistically can within a specific amount of time. You’ll only end up burned out and stressed out.

·    Treat yourself. There’s nothing better for encouragement than planning a special treat for yourself when the job’s complete. Give yourself a “carrot” to dangle in front of your nose until you’ve met your goal: a new suit, a day at the spa, a walk in the park.

·    Take baby steps. The easiest and quickest way to reach a short-term goal is to break it down into smaller, doable tasks. Once you’ve created your ultimate goal, break it down into baby steps. This will make it simpler and much more fun for you to work towards your goal.

Short-term goals are quick and easy, so the most important thing to remember is to not make yours complicated. Keep it simple and easy and you’ll arrive at your goal in no time at all.