Write short-term goals for three months. For instance, your goal can be that you will lose weight. Let's say the date you write the goal is August 1. Your goal would be worded: " I will lose 24 lbs. by November 1."
Write a plan of action by listing three approaches to help you reach your goal. The approaches must be actionable and not vague in description. For example, these are the three approaches you might use for your goal to lose weight:
(1) I will eat no more than 1,200 calories per day.
(2) I will walk briskly for one hour every day.
(3) I will eat fruits or vegetables instead of cookies and sweets for snacks.
Gauge your progress toward your goal every week. In the example, this would include recording your weight loss and how well you are doing with your approaches. If at any time you feel the approaches are not helping you to reach your goal, you can change them until you find something that works for you.