One idea is to keep the how specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time-based such that it is crystal clear in your mind what you are going to do.
(PS: keep voting this up so we can get a nice collection going)
Let 'em rip!
After 3 trips to the emergency room in 2011, my goal for 2012 is to _immediately_ stop doing whatever it is, the instant this thought occurs to me. Try it... it's harder than you think.
- Payoff, in full, my remaining student loan balance.
- Launch my online business before the end of February.
2. Social and cultural
- Donate 10% of every dime that enters my bank account to charitable causes of my choice.
- Refresh social circle to include only supportive, like-minded individuals with goals similar to my own.
3. Spiritual and ethical
- Listen to Brainwave Entrainment audio and meditation tapes for 30 minutes EVERYDAY, preferrably before going to bed.
- Listen to online sermons as a baby step to getting back in tune with my religion.
4. Home and family
- Position myself to purchase or build a 4b/3ba single family home by the end of the year, for atleast 5% less than the going market rate.
5. Mental and education
- Read self-help and personal development material for atleast 30 minutes each day.
-- Subscribe to and read atleast 100 publications related to the startup, software development, and marketing categories.
-- Read 1 book each week on any of the following topics: starting a business, software architecture, online marketing, personal branding.
- Attend 1 personal development seminar.
6. Physical and health
- Cook my own meals by the end of Q1 2011.
- Drop bodyfat percentage from 14.4 to 11.
- Gain 15lbs of lean body mass.
Not even done yet..
Reach for the stars.