Goal setting is a very powerful process for focusing your attention on what you really want from life. Without goals, life can lack purpose and become directionless. By understanding what you want and what you want to achieve, you know where you have to direct your effort and energy. Get into the habit of setting goals. It builds self-confidence and self-belief, and it’s also a great motivator.

Want to lose weight? Having a goal makes a difference. You have to make a commitment to achieving that goal. If you don’t, your chances of success may be reduced.

Apart from wanting to lose weight do you have a lifetime goal? May sound a little silly, but it’s not as silly as you think. Do you have a goal that covers the next five years? You need to know what you want, and have a goal if you want to achieve it. Goal setting will definitely increase your self-awareness – a ‘good thing’.

To make it easier, why don’t you split your goals into different categories? No one goal can cover all you want to achieve. Here are some examples of categories you could use: getting slim, health, family, career, financial, physical, self-improvement. There are other categories you could use. Make a list of your own, and set out your goal for each category.

Remember that each goal must be your goal, and it should be a SMART goal. A SMART goal is one that is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and to be achieved within a set Time. Remember to make your goal statement a positive one. Revisit your goals and update them as you see fit.