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"People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine." Brian Tracy

"Show me your schedule and I will show you the next 5 years of your life." Eric Thomas

This time of the year everybody is doing it; creating resolutions. Unfortunately, they are short-lived because they weren't realistic and cause many to become overwhelmed before they can truly implement their resolution. The truth however, is goals are just the beginning of resolutions. If people simply consider the tasks and routines required to achieve the goal, they'd have an appropriate perspective on the proper time frame of achievement. Better yet they'd understand if the goal they have set is truly their hearts desire.

Goals

A goal is an objective, aim, or end result you desire that has a specific deadline.

Proper goals are written out in a formula, here is Brian Tracy's formula:

• Form your goal as an I statement
• Use action verbs; signifying what you are going to accomplish
• Make sure that it is in the present tense which helps your mind adhere to it
• End your statement with a specific date (i.e. by Friday, January 10, 2014)

However, there is a way to determine if your goal is S.M.A.R.T. Determine if your goal is:

Specific= defines what, why, and how you accomplish your goal
Measurable= can you measure the progress based on the facts or numbers?
Attainable= consider your abilities and resources, can you do it?
Relevant and Realistic= is your goal realistic for your lifestyle?
Time-Bound= a specific date signifying the end or achievement.

Watch Brian Tracy Illustrate proper goal setting:

10 Step Method to Setting Goals and Achieving Your Goals by Brian Tracy

Tasks

Creating your goals is just the beginning. In order to implement your goal it must be broken down into tasks. Tasks are pieces, steps, or functions that need to be performed in order to accomplish your goal.

Understanding the tasks to get to your goal is an eye-opener for many. Seeing what it takes to accomplish a desired goal helps you to determine your desire to see it through. It may be more challenging than you thought or it might be rewarding.

Listing out each step towards your goal in essence creates a to-do-list of all the steps or things you must accomplish to get it done.

On a day-to-day basis, you should reference your lists for each of your goals and create a daily list of things you must get done today in order to accomplish your goal by your deadline.

Watch this helpful video on to-do-lists:

Work Smart: How to Write a To-Do List

Routine

After clearly identifying your goals and understanding all the specific tasks you must do to accomplish it; then you must implement those tasks into your daily routine.

A routine is your day-to-day activities that you do regularly. The specific activities along with your tasks should go on to your calendar and/or planner.

These daily activities connect the dots to your goals and tasks which in turn creates a habit and for many of us-a new lifestyle.

This is why you must determine if your goal is S.M.A.R.T. because going from sedentary to working out like a pro athlete can be your downfall. Not only must you build physical endurance but you must align your mind, lifestyle or habits; which is not always as simple as it seems.

In conclusion, in order to realize your goals you must change your daily lifestyle & habits by creating S.M.A.R.T. goals, tasks and routines.

Have you created S.M.A.R.T. goals for 2014?