The first and most important step is to decide that you will create a goal AND do something about it right now. You may not completely work out what your goal will be today, but you can make a start. It may take some time to get it just right, but the time you spend right now will be some of the most valuable time you ever spend.

As a word of warning though - don't wait until your goal is 100% perfect. Delaying action until you have it "perfect" can use up time you could otherwise spend on making progress towards your goal.

When you are deciding on longer term goals, seek the advice of family and trusted friends. They can be a great source of wisdom and inspiration. Some can also be a distraction! If you believe in God, ask Him for advice. You can, of course, go it alone and there is nothing wrong with that, but keep in mind an old saying: "The advice of many secures victory.".

We all see life from a slightly different viewpoint. It can be very helpful in goal setting when our friends help us to see things we didn't notice.

There is a great video on YouTube called "Shift Happens" <- Click on it and watch it if you have 10 minutes to spare. It is a thought-provoking story about how certain things in the world are changing.

Just like the world around us, we too need to change but not just for the sake of it. There is good change and there is bad change. Good change comes from careful planning with a healthy set of goals for our lives. Bad change is often linked to lack of planning and no goals.

By setting goals you can have more influence over the change that influences your life and you are set up to enjoy a more successful life.

Make the goal yours. Personalize it. Know how achieving the goal will take you further along your journey in life and contribute to your life purpose. Decide today to take ownership of the rest of your life. What you plan now can and will affect the rest of your life. Choose to make that time the best years of your life.

Be sure to use "personal" statements when you are setting goals.

• In three months time I will be (...)
• I want to finish (...) by the end of summer.
• By the end of June I will have ...

Not too high or you may become discouraged when it all seems too hard. Not too low either as without some challenge there is often not much change. Set the bar at a challenging height.

You might want to reduce your golf handicap. There is not point in aiming for a pro score by the end of the month when you are playing off a handicap of 19. Aim to reduce your handicap consistenly by just one or two over the next few months. Then really think about what it feels like to be playing off 18 or 17.

When you achieve that goal, assess how it fits with your life purpose. If another reduction in your handicap is within the scope of your journey through life, then adjust the bar and do it again.

Whatever is your goal, set yourself up for success along the way, as well as success in the long term, by keeping the bar at a challenging height.

If you haven't already, be sure to check out the SMART Goal Setting tips page.

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There are usually many paths that can be taken on any journey. When you have a choice, choose the paths that you like the most. Do those things that appeal to you and you will enjoy working towards achieving your goal.

Self improvement is a life-long journey. There are many places along the way where you can spend some time and enjoy all that life has to offer.

Choose people you like to work with and who can help you along the way. Build friendships with those you do not know very well and deepen the friendships with those you already know. There will often be one or two friends who can offer help with achieving your goals. Do not hesitate to ask when you need help. Getting help can be the difference between enjoying what you are doing, and giving up out of frustration.

In many areas of our lives there can be rough patches along the way. You will need to push through when you get to these less desirable parts of life. When you hit a rough patch, keep the goal in mind and focus on completing this step. Maintain your momentum and you will be through it sooner than you think.

Life is not a journey to be taken at high speed, rather a journey of many steps, each of which provides an opportunity for growth, happiness and a better life.

Your thoughts form a powerful image of who you are and who you can become. Be sure to keep your thoughts lined up with your goal. Do you really want to achieve what it is that you are saying?

If you say that you want to build up your fitness levels in order to compete in your region's annual marathon, yet you secretly hate running, then your thoughts will be undermining your plan. It may also help to read the R=Relevant section of SMART Goal Setting tips page.

Work out what you are thinking, toss out what is working against you and keep the rest. When you and your thoughts are on the same page you will make progress. If you have a nagging thought that seems to be more powerful than your desire to achieve your goal then check it out. It might be a sub-conscious warning that your goal is not aligned with your life purpose.

As you experience success each step along the way towards achieving your goal, help and encourage others in their own journey through life. If they do not seem to work with goals, suggest to them setting goals is a very beneficial activity. Share with them your success stories. By building up the lives of others you will help to increase your own growth and development.