Often the most difficult obstacle to achieving a goal is just getting started. Beginning has power in it. During the summer, I hike on a mountainous trail near my house every morning. Just getting started, getting out of bed early to beat the sun is often the hardest part. Once I get going, every step I take motivates me to keep going.

What steps are you taking to reach your goals? Perhaps you haven’t started or don’t know how to begin. Here’s a tool to help you reach your dreams.

The tool you are going to learn about is a Goals Notebook. You’ll need a three-ring binder, five pages of three-hole paper, and a pen. Label the spine and front cover of the notebook “Goals.”

Label page 1 “Goal” and put today’s date on it. Label page 2 “Why.” Label page 3 “What I need.” Label page 4 “Action Plan.” Label page 5 “Calendar/Schedule.”

Write down your goal
On page 1 write down your goal. Be as specific as you can. Set measurable goals.

It’s important to write down your goals, because goals can give you a sense of direction, a purpose, a focus. The more specific you are the better. You have a target to aim for. “If you have a long-term goal, you have decided your destination before setting out upon the journey,” writes Don Gabor in Big Things Happen When you do the Little Things Right.

For example, perhaps your goal is to lose 20 pounds. Write: I will lose 20 pounds.

How achieving this goal will change your life
On page 2 write down why the goal is important to you. Write how achieving this goal will change your life. Picture yourself accomplishing the goal and write how it would make you feel to achieve the goal. Draw a picture or find photos or illustrations from magazines and paste them on this page to help you visualize what you’ve written. Find an image that will inspire you to work on your goal.

In the example, losing 20 pounds will make you feel better about your body and your doctor says you will feel healthier. You also want to buy a new bathing suit and other clothes.

In this example, you might cut out a picture of a bathing suit you like and glue it on page 2. Or if you are motivated by negative images, a photo of an overweight person might be good.

What you need to achieve your goal
On page 3 list what is needed to achieve your goal.

In our example you’ve written that to lose 20 pounds you need to stop eating desserts and to exercise more. You may need exercise equipment, clothing, a gym membership and a calorie-counting book.

Action Plan
On page 4 labeled “Action Plan” list ideas of how to accomplish your goal. All action items must be specific.

Your list of what you need to do to lose 20 pounds stated that you need to eliminate desserts at night and exercise more.

Your Action Plan to lose 20 pounds will include:

Don’t eat desserts.

Exercise:
Join a gym. Attend three times a week.
Walk around the neighborhood every morning.
Take tennis lessons.

Note what amount of time you can devote to each activity in your action plan per day or per week. i.e. Tennis lessons once a week for one hour. Walk neighborhood in mornings one hour per day.

Weigh yourself. Subtract 20 pounds. On page 1 where you have written the goal “I want to lose 20 pounds,” write, “I will weigh (current weight — 20 pounds on (specific date), 2006.” A goal is a dream with a deadline.