A few days ago, I sat down and began to analyze my life in 2016. I am grateful to God that I set goals and achieved most of them. I also learn't a lot of lessons along the way, some very hard but more importantly, it has helped me re-evaluate my journey to determine if I am headed in the right direction or not. These lessons would also stand as a guide for me in 2017.
For some people who may feel that their course has been slightly deterred or even derailed, see the New Year as a fresh start to re-establish your goals and start the process of creating the path you desire.
Personal goal setting helps us evaluate what we like about our lives and what we wish to change; then forces us to focus on how we can achieve that change for ourselves.

Why Set Goals?

1. It helps us evaluate what we want out of life.
2. It gives us a clearer view of where we are and a step by step guide to achieving them.
3. It helps us focus on specific targets.
4. Well thought out goals helps us organize our time and our resources so we can make the most of our life.

Make your goals S.M.A.R.T

Tips On Goal Setting

Specific: What exactly do you want to do? Ensure that it is well defined. Have specific reasons, purpose or benefits of accomplishing the goals.

Measurable: This simply means that you identify exactly what you will see, hear and/or feel, when you reach those goals. It means breaking your goals down into measurable elements. Defining the objectives of your goal makes it clearer and easier to read.

Attainable: What needs to happen to achieve the goals? Are the goal achievable, considering the circumstances around you such as environment, resources, time etc.?

Realistic: There are some goals that are simply not realistic; a goal has to be something that is reasonable and can become a reality in our lives.

Time Oriented: Every goal must have a time frame attached to it. It must have an end i.e. a definite time in which it is planned to be accomplished. With no time frame attached to it, there is no sense of urgency.
Additional Tips

State your goal as a positive statement: It helps you stay motivated.
Prioritize your goals: This helps direct your attention to the most important ones.
Write them down: It keeps you guided.

Now get to work, ensure you set your personal goal.