1. Make them specific and clear. Vague goals like “get healthier” lack direction. Specific goals like “walk 30 minutes every morning” are actionable and measurable. So instead of “be more productive,” tell yourself, “work on my report for 90 minutes each morning before checking email.”
2. Set measurable milestones. Tracking progress keeps you motivated and helps you course-correct. For example, instead of “save money,” try “save $500 in two months at a rate of $62.50 per week.”
3. Focus on what you can control. You can’t control external outcomes (e.g., getting a job offer), but you can control your input (e.g., applying to 50 jobs a week). So shift from “get 1,000 new subscribers,” to “post quality content 4x per week and engage with 10 new accounts daily.”
4. Align goals with your values. Goals tied to personal values (not pressure or trends) have more staying power. So ask yourself, “Why do I care about this goal?” For example, if you value regular creativity, aim for “create 1 short film every quarter” instead of “go viral on TikTok.”
5. Break big goals into small steps. Large goals can feel overwhelming. Small wins build confidence and momentum. So instead of “Write a book,” start with, “Write 200 words every weekday for a month.”

SEE ALSO: Don’t aim for success. If you persist, it will find you.