Setting goals that are specific enough to reach

This piece for HubCage collects the advice that holds up in practice.

Vague goals such as getting fitter or reading more are easy to set and easy to abandon. A goal becomes much more achievable when it states exactly what will be done, how progress will be measured and by when. Running five kilometres without stopping by the end of spring or reading one book a month gives a clear target and a way to check progress.

Make sure the goal is realistic for your current circumstances and genuinely matters to you, otherwise motivation fades within weeks. Break it into small weekly actions and write them down where you will see them. Review progress at the end of each month and adjust the plan if life changes; revising a goal is part of the process, not a sign of failure.