Goal Setting Strategy: 5 Steps
Goal setting is more than just writing down what you want. If you really want to succeed, It should be more about creating a roadmap from where you are to where you want to be. With clarity, structure, and intention. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, improve your health, or change your life in a meaningful way, setting the right goal and using the right strategies makes all the difference.
Below I will give five steps on how to set goals. This strategy applies to any long-term goals. It doesn't matter whether you set them on our website, through our official app, or in some other way.
1. Determine What You Want And Why
Start with clarity. Ask yourself:
- What do I want to change or accomplish?
- Why does this matter to me?
- How will achieving this improve my life?
The "why" fuels your motivation when it gets hard. If the reason isn’t strong, the goal won’t stick.
2. Use The SMART Framework
This is a well-known technique. The goal you set should meet the following criteria:
- Specific – Clear and well-defined.
- Measurable – You can track progress or completion.
- Achievable – Challenging, but realistic.
- Relevant – It aligns with your values and priorities.
- Time-bound – It has a deadline.
For example: “Save $5,000 for an emergency fund by March 1st” is a SMART goal. And “Get better with money” is obviously not.
3. Use A Verb In The Goal Title
Based on personal experience, I would also recommend always using a verb. It should push you to act. For example, while “10 new business books by the end of the year” is good, “Read 10 new business books by the end of the year” is much better.
4. Choose The Appropriate Goal Picture
If you create a poster for your goal using our service, remember that the purpose of the poster is to visualize the goal. You should clearly see what you want. So please choose an image that represent your goal result in the best way:
- Do not use abstract images. They won't help you visualize your result.
- Do not use funny pictures. You should be serious about your intentions.
- Do not use negative pictures. You should see your goal result, not your current pain. For example, if you want to quit smoking, do not use a picture with cigarette and smoke.
- Try to choose a picture with less details. Nothing should distract you from your final result.
5. Break Your Goal Down Into Objectives
Once you have your goal, break it into smaller, actionable steps. These are your objectives or milestones.
For example your goal is “Write a book in 6 months”. Your objectives for this goal might be the following:
- Outline chapters by Week 1
- Write 1,000 words per day
- Finish first draft by Month 3
- Edit and revise by Month 5
Breaking it down keeps the goal from feeling overwhelming.
P.S. Once Goals Are Set, What's Next?
Setting the right goal is crucial. But it's also just the beginning. I highly recommend reading my other article on how to achieve goals. I'd also recommend checking out the website's main page to see what goals other people are setting for themselves. You might find some interesting ideas for yourself.