Goals help to create focus and direction in a person’s life. They provide guidance and purpose to projects and tasks.  The next time you have an aspiration or dream, set a goal to help you achieve it by following these simple steps:

1. Identify a Goal: Write it down and be specific! The more details you can add, the more vivid the end picture, the easier the goal will be to attain.
2. Set a Deadline: Put a date when you will complete this goal. Be honest with yourself and put a date that is attainable and not too challenging.  The more challenging the date—the more likely you will be to miss it!
3. List Obstacles: What is going to stand in the way of you achieving this goal by this date? List the potential roadblocks — even the seemingly unlikely ones.
4. Identify Collaboration Opportunities: Identify people or groups that you need/want to work with to fulfill the goal. Helpful family members? Talented friends? Or maybe you need the help of community members like coaches and teachers.
5. Create a Plan: Every good idea has an even better plan! Put together a step-by-step strategy on how you can meet the goal. Be sure to take into consideration your time requirements and all the resources that you will need.
6. List Any Skills Needed: What skills do you need to use to achieve the goal? Identify what skills you already have, then figure out how to fill in the gaps for the skills you are less competent on.  Can you learn these or do you want to enlist others to help.
7. Know the Benefits: Find out “What’s in it for me?” This will help to keep you motivated! Seeing the happy future of goals that are attained give us a picture of how something can be better. And ‘better’ is always better!