It's coming to the end of 2006 and the new year is coming. During the new year, many people will set their goals such as faster job promotion, a salary increase, spend more time with your family etc. While it's good to set your goals for the new year, most people never actually achieve their goals. Why?

The simple explanation for that is 2 fold. One, most people do not set clear goals and have a very vague idea of what their goals is. The second reason is most people do not take steps to achieve the goals they have set.

In a way, the second reason is dependent on your goals. If you only have a vague idea of what your goal is, then it becomes almost impossible to take steps to achieve your goals.

The following 6 key steps will help you achieve better results with your goals:

1. Set a specific goal.

Setting a goal that is specific allows you to have a clearer picture of what you want to achieve. For example instead of setting a goal of I want to be rich in 2007, set a goal that you want to earn $100,000 in 2007. I find numbers and figures when setting your goals makes it more achievable and more easily attainable.

2. Set a timeframe for your goal.

Every goal you set must have a timeline. The reason for that is so that it can be easy to assess whether you have achieved your goal and if not, the reasons why and how far off to your goals are.

Setting a timeframe also motivates you to meet the deadline and to take necessary action to meet that dateline. If you do not set a time frame to your goals, you probably end up chasing that dream for the rest of your life.

3. Set A Realistic Goal.

Your goal should be realistic and achievable in a timeframe that you set. Setting a realistic goal makes it more achievable and real rather than a fantasy. It's not a bad thing to have high goals but you may need to tweak your goals as you go along if you find that it is not realistic.

4. Chart Your Progress

It is important you establish short term goals or what I called landmark goals that determine your exact position on the goal you are setting. For example, if you aiming to earn $100,000 a year. Set a short term goal of $30,000 in march, $60,000 in june and then see if you met your short term goals.

Doing this allows you to determine whether you are exceeeding or lacking behind in your goals. Then you can take extra steps to catch up.

5. Be prepared For Obstacles

Many a times, you will be faced with obstacles along the way to your goal. It's perfectly natural and do not get discouraged or frustrated. One of the greatest achievements you can accomplished is to overcome these obstacles.

Even if you did not achieve your goals, take it as a challenge for your next goal. The point is never give up.

6. Give A Reason For Your Goals

Sometimes, setting a goal by itself is not sufficient to motivate you. Deep down inside each of us, we have a personal reason for setting that goal. For example, setting a goal of earning $100,000 a year. The reason could be so that the family can live in comfort and the children can have the toys they always wanted but couldn't have.

If you can follow these simple 6 key steps, they can give you the drive to succeed in your goals and in life as well. Goal Setting may be clich