It’s common for people to come up with resolutions as a new year approaches, from losing weight to starting a business. However, making real positive change requires more than resolutions — it requiresgoals.

What is a Goal?

“A goal is a desired result that you plan and commit to achieving,” explains occupational health psychologist Erin Eatough, PhD, fromBetterUp.com. In essence, a goal is a dream with a deadline.

Not sure which goals you want to pursue? A period ofself-reflection may help you sharpen your focus.

Why Set Goals?

Setting goals gives you a sense of purpose, helping you focus on what truly matters. As Eatough says, “Taking the time to think about what you want in life gives you a sense of purpose.” Goals help you take a step back and reflect on what’s important, making it the first step toward creating a life full of meaning.

Seven Steps to Help You Create the Life You Want

Ask Yourself Why

Before setting goals, it’s essential to understand your true motivations. “Make sure that the goals that you have set are ones that you genuinely want to achieve, not ones that your parents, family or employers might want,” says the team atMindTools.com. Reflect on whatyou genuinely want to achieve.

Look at the Big Picture—Then Narrow Your Focus

Start by considering the broader vision of your life. What do you want to accomplish in different areas (career, relationships, health, finances)? Once you have a broad view, break it down into smaller, manageable goals.
Keep in mind that “a goal is not an objective,” notes Eatough. “While goals describe what you want to achieve, objectives are the steps taken to reach the goal.” For example, your goal may be, “I want to lose 20 pounds.” An objective for that goal might be, “In the next two weeks, I will find and set an appointment with a nutritionist to develop an eating plan I can stick with.”

Set SMART Goals

Use the SMART framework to make your goals clear and actionable (and write them down, on paper or digitally):

• Specific: Be clear about what you want to achieve. Fuzzy, general goals—”I want to live a healthier life,” for example—aren’t helpful.
• Measurable: Define how you’ll measure progress. In the example of living a healthier life, identify signs of progress such as weight loss, stamina gains, improvements in bloodwork values and so forth.
• Attainable: Ensure your goal is achievable within your current context. If you’d like to improve your health at age 55, setting benchmarks more readily attainable at age 20 may not be realistic.
• Relevant: Align your goal with what matters to you. Is your goal relevant to your life, and can you realistically achieve it, based on your current circumstances?
• Timely: Set a realistic timeline for completion. Goals without timelines are meaningless.

Stay Positive and Visualize Success

Frame your goals in a positive light. Rather than saying, "I don’t want to fail," focus on, "I will succeed." Use visualization techniques to imagine yourself taking the necessary steps toward achieving your goal, reinforcing your motivation. For example at some set time each day, imagine yourself taking the actions needed to achieve a particular goal in order to strengthen your resolve.

Focus on Performance, Not Outcome

Focus on actions you can control (performance) rather than outcomes that depend on external factors. For example, instead of just aiming to “get promoted,” focus on actions like improving skills or taking on new responsibilities that will help you get there.

Hold Yourself Accountable

Keep your goals visible, and share them with others. Being accountable to friends, family members or a mentor can provide motivation and support throughout the process. (Part of accountability is learning how to deal with setbacks; gohere for ways to bounce back from disappointments.)

Reassess and Recalibrate

Periodically review your progress and make adjustments as needed: If you achieved a goal too easily, make the next one harder; if it was too difficult, make the next goal easier. Celebrate your successes, learn from setbacks and refine your goals to keep them relevant.

By following these steps, you can set clear, meaningful goals that guide you toward a life of purpose and achievement.