One of the cornerstones of lifecoaching, is to set a goal and then make a plan to reach it, checking off your actions as you go. Setting a goal, isn’t something lofty, but a very precise process, that has a couple of components that are important for it to work.

Here are seven things to consider, when you set a goal, with an example. A goal has to be:

Specific – define exactly what you’d like to achieve, such as: “I’d like to lose weight.”

Measurable – define how much, or any other factor that you can measure, such as: “I’d like to lose 10 lbs.”

Attainable and Reasonable – state something as your goal, that you know you actually can reach. Don’t opt for wanting to lose 30 lbs in one week. That isn’t attainable and reasonable.

Time-bound – set a deadline for when you’d like to have reached your goal, such as: “I’d like to lose 10 lbs before June.”

Action-oriented – include something about how you intend to reach your goal, such as: “I’d like to lose 10 lbs by going for longer walks, three times per week, before June.”

Purposeful – stating why you’d like to reach your goal is important to make it feel purposeful, such as: “I’d like to lose 10 lbs, so that I’ll feel better about myself, get in better shape, and look better.”

What is a goal you’d like to reach?