Reaching Life Goals: Which Strategies Work

Success in modern post-industrial societies is all about reaching long-term goals

1. Make a step-by-step plan: break your goal down into concrete, measurable and time-based sub-goals.
2. Tell other people about your goal: making a public declaration increases motivation.
3. Think about the good things that will happen if you achieve your goal (but avoid fantasizing - see this article).
4. Reward yourself for making progress in your goal: small rewards help push us on to major successes.
5. Record your progress: keep a journal, graph or drawing that plots your progress.

http://www.spring.org.uk/2011/02/reaching-life-goals-which-strategies-work.php