We are halfway through January, so I have to ask... How are your resolutions looking? Did you even create resolutions for yourself? Do you know if those resolutions you brainstormed are attainable?

Antoine de Saint-Exupery once said, "A goal without a plan is just a wish." If there is something you want to do, it is imperative to set yourself up for success by creating a plan for achieving that goal. One of the most popular and successful methods of goal-setting is the SMART method. Setting SMART goals means setting goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and within a set time frame.

A specific goal must answer who, what, when, where, why, and which? A measurable goal must answer how many, how much, and how will I know when it’s accomplished? To create an attainable goal, you must ask yourself, “how will I make your goal come true?” and figure out what skills, attitudes, and capabilities you have to develop. Realistic goals must have to be something you are willing and able to achieve. Finally, SMART goals are timely. You must set a realistic time frame to increase your sense of urgency.

I don't mean to offer a lecture here. I just want to make sure each of you know that there is an effective way to set goals for yourself!

I saw some resolutions this year like "read more," "get in shape," or "take time to travel". Those are awesome ideas! However, I would assert that a more effective way of phrasing those things would be something like, "Read one new book each month," "Run a 5K in December," or "Plan a trip to Spain for this summer." Make each goal specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound!

Then for each of those goals, there are steps to take to achieve them. There has to be a plan. In order to run a 5K by the end of the year, you may need to 1. buy running shoes in January, 2. spend 30 minutes running each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 3. sign up for a 5K, etc.

Another goal guideline that I suggest using is having a maximum of about three goals for yourself at a time. Setting too many goals at once makes it hard to remember and usually creates too much to work to do at once. Also, I believe it's important to make sure you have people in your life to hold you accountable. This could be a friend, your family members, a mentor, a life coach, etc. Finally, I would suggest that your goals be tangible. You should be able to feel, hear, touch, smell, or see their goal when it’s accomplished.

Goals are central to life coaching. As a coach, it is my job to understand how to formulate goals and how to coach my clients to achieve them. If you are looking toward 2018 and hoping for change in your life, consider setting SMART goals for yourself so you can create that change you seek. If you need some assistance at all, consider hiring a life coach to turn your visions and dreams into a reality!