Via Nine Things Successful People Do Differently:  1) Write down
your goal.  Example A: My goal is to get ahead at work.  Example
B: My goal is to lose some weight.  2) Ask yourself, “How will I
know when I have succeeded?” Describe the moment when you will
know that you have reached your goal.  Example A: I will know I
have gotten ahead when my boss tells me that I’m getting
promoted to director.  Example B: I will know that I have lost
weight when I can fit into my size-eight jeans.  3) Go back and
rewrite the goal, using the information.  Example A: My goal is
to get promoted to the director level.  Example B: My goal is to
fit into my size-eight jeans.  4) Now for a little mental
contrasting. Think about two positive aspects of reaching your
goals and two obstacles that lie in the way.  Example 1:
Positives: I will make more money. I will have more influence on
the company’s strategy.  Obstacles: My coworker wants the same
promotion. I’m not sure what my boss is looking for.  5)
Beginning with the first