Thinking through your goals before you make them leads to wise goal setting.  Obviously, if you're disabled, setting a goal to become an Olympic sprinter is not realistic - BUT, you could become a champion wheelchair sprinter in the Para-Olympics or a thousand similar things.  Create goals that are at your skill level as well as goals that are going to challenge you and help you grow as in individual.  Goals that are slightly out of your grasp, but not so far out of reach, will inspire you to concentrate on goal setting.  Keep in mind, we're not meaning goals that are TOO LOW (as mentioned previously) but rather, when you first start out, set some "starter" goals to jump start the process and some higher ones that you can sink your teeth into over time. 

When you’re setting your goals there are some factors that you should take into account as you’re setting them.  These factors include:

(1) other commitments that you have
(2) how much time you have to devote to achieving your goal,
(3) what skills you need to acquire to work towards your goal
(4) what other life experiences you expect to take part in during that time. 

Measure your goals based on the above factors so that you can set them effectively.  Realize that even simple goals may take a long period of time if you just don't have the time to concentrate on them - so go ahead and start on the goal, but give yourself a break when it takes longer than your brain thinks it should.  

There are also some specific questions that you should be asking yourself as you set you goals:

•    Will I need help or collaboration along the way?
•    What resources will I need?
•    What obstacles can I anticipate?
•    Is there more than one way of reaching my goal?
•    What knowledge, skills, and information do I need to obtain to reach my goal?
•    Am I seeing the whole picture?

Finally - get out there and get going! 

As T.S. Elliot once said:  "Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go!" 

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