All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim; have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible,” said Orison Swett Marden, an American inspirational author.

Goals give you clear direction and power to turn your vision into reality. People who set targets are more successful as they know where to concentrate their efforts. Every individual in this world has the potential to achieve. Then why do so many people give up too early? They give up because they do not understand the psychological aspects and techniques.

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Once you identify, you should adopt strategic methodologies to realise them. The ideal approach is to adhere to smart goals, which means set aims that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timebound.

These are the five requisites that will drive you forward in life.

Once you identify, you should adopt strategic methodologies to realise them. The ideal approach is to adhere to smart goals, which means set aims that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timebound. These are the five requisites that will drive you forward in life.

Set a specific goal: You can focus on your efforts only if they are specific and straightforward. Therefore, you should ask yourself the following questions –– What would I like to achieve in life?; Why do I want to achieve the goal/ goals?; What do I need to achieve?; Where and when would I like to achieve?; It’s best to be specific. Setting vague goals without a proper action plan will not lead you anywhere.

Set a measurable goal: In order to manage you should set a measurable goal as it helps you track your progress and measure your level of success. Design an outline or course of action on how you would achieve and refer back to the plan to check up on what you are attaining. Ask yourself, “What is the next action that I can perform?”

Set attainable goals: Setting unreasonable goals are detrimental to your success as they weaken your resolve. Therefore, you should set attainable goals that motivate you to work towards them.To achieve a larger goal; you need to set smaller goals. The idea is to focus your energy on small, achievable tasks. Accomplishing smaller ones will pave the way for the one big goal you have your heart and mind set on.

Be realistic: Remember nothing of value comes free or easy. You will have to make sacrifices and sometimes may falter but stay focused, be positive and persevere. Reward yourself when you achieve a milestone. Take pride in achieving at each step, this will help you keep moving forward. Be realistic in your approach.

Make your goals time-bound: The time-bound aspect helps you track your progress effectively. A deadline or time-limit creates a sense of urgency that inspires you to prioritise over other regular tasks that may end up distracting you. You will encounter hurdles while pursuing but you should never give up. With the smart goals technique you will have the tools to set and achieve them. Commit to staying persistent and heart-strong and not letting obstacles get in your way. Believe in yourself, stay focused, rise and move forward so that you can achieve it.

(The writer is chief executive officer, Infogain)