Watching the Olympic Games this season has been so inspiring! One thing that all the athletes have in common is the incredible effort and devotion they put into reaching their goals. But for many of us non-olympians, even the modest goals can seem out of reach.

Even if breaking world records is not your thing, when it comes to fulfilling your potential, and experiencing your highest possible quality of life, time spent working towards this goal is a worthy investment.

It is estimated that approximately 3% of the population has a set of concrete, written
goals. If the full impact of goal setting were realized, and more importantly the results it
produces, we would undoubtedly see more people engaging in it.

In a follow-up study of one prominent university’s graduating class, the 3% of graduates with written goals outperformed the other 97% combined!

If you are new to goal setting, here are some tips to get you going. This is by no means a
comprehensive course on goals, but should at least serve as a good starting point.

Goals are most effective when they are written down, and although goal setting usually begins as simple lists like to-do lists, a journal dedicated specifically to your goals is a great asset. Not only does it keep the goals in front of you, but it serves as a record of your accomplishments. Drawing on past success is extremely motivating, especially as your goals get larger and more audacious.

In addition to a journal, it is also a good idea to utilize index cards and post-it notes that
can be placed anywhere you are sure to see them throughout the day. Some suggestions are the bathroom mirror, the refrigerator, your dashboard, your computer, etc. The idea is to keep your goals in the forefront of your mind and prevent them from getting swept away by the monotony of the day. When writing goals you must be as specific as possible. The more clear and crisp the image, the more likely you are to achieve it.