If you've ever tried to set a goal or just simply attempted to meet a deadline and didn't make it, it may be because you haven't improved your skills at goal setting yet.  Use these tips to learn how:

Know the results you want
You cannot set your first goal unless you know what you want.  Make a list of what you want to accomplish and write them down.  Although a trusty notepad will usually suffice, you might also use an organizer, computer software or an online website account that lets you manage your time and organize a list of tasks.

Make sure the goals are precise.  Don't just say, 'I want to sell to more customers.'  Instead, say, 'I will call a minimum of 10 potential customers a day'.

Review this list and then identify which goals are short-term, which are long-term and continuous.  Short-term goals are goals you set with the intention of completing them soon, either out of necessity or desire.  Long-term goals are goals that you want to achieve in the near future while continuous goals are those that you sustain over time and thus have no deadline for.

Set your priorities
Separate the goals depending on their importance.  Some goals just naturally have to be completed first, such as those that have deadlines while others can be completed in the future.  There are also goals that can be set above others because of the types of knowledge and skills you already have.

By prioritizing your goals, you are more likely to complete many of them and avoid getting overwhelmed.

Consider forces or factors that are beyond your control
Certain things will affect how successful you will be at goal setting.  These factors include: market behavior, customer demands, injury, bad weather, even wrong timing.  Any of these factors will affect the outcome of your performance.  There's also a good chance you may not get the results you want.

To avoid this, set goals according to your performance instead of outcomes.  This allows you to make goals that are realistic and achievable with an outcome that is much more satisfactory.

Remember to always set your goals in a positive way
Do not begin a goal with a negative, such as 'I will NOT waste time'.  Instead, say something like 'I will manage my time by prioritizing and scheduling.'  That way, you give yourself a clearer vision about what you want to do and the steps you want to take to get there.