I once read that the best way to succeed with anything in life is to set realistic goals for ourselves. Establishing short-term and long-term goals ups our motivation, which is something we need. Whether we’re trying to start and run a home based business or accomplish personal achievements, making a goal sheet is the first step.

I’ve had numerous goals throughout my life. Six years ago I made the decision to become a freelance writer. A year later I resolved to pay off my credit card debts and start an “adult” savings account. Three years later I started working towards home ownership. And this past January, I made plans to take my freelance business to the next level.

I’m happy to say that I’ve achieved all of the above goals. It wasn’t easy, and I dealt with different setbacks. But in the end, keeping my goals in mind helped. But I did more than just state my goals. Along with creating realistic personal and business goals for myself, I had to write down the goals and post them on the wall.

I know this sounds cheesy, but I have a “Goals” document in Microsoft Word. If and when I have a new goal, I open the document and add the goal. I’ll print the document and post it on the bulletin board in our home office and on the wall next to my night stand. My goal sheet is the first thing I see in the mornings, and the last thing I see at night. And when I’m in my home office, I can’t leave or enter the room without getting hit with a visual reminder of my short and long term goals.

In the past I would say my goal aloud, but keep it tucked inside my head. Not surprisingly, less than a week later the goal was ancient history, or I always found myself starting at square one. But once I put my goals in writing and posted them around the house, I started to achieve them one-by-one.