Achieving goals can bring you one step closer to happiness, opportunity and security. Goals come in all shapes and sizes - a fantastic job, home ownership, owning a nice car, taking long vacations, starting a family and building wealth. How would you go about shaping your dreams to create the life you want?

We all generate millions of thoughts in our minds everyday like, "I would like to win the lottery, lose weight, volunteer, change careers, return to school." Most are random and incorporate our beliefs, values, daily influences and experiences. This is considered "mind chatter". Mind chatter is a form of self-talk that can cause self-doubt and confusion. What is perceived in the mind may take a different direction and meaning if developed as a goal on paper. And this means putting "you" out there - taking a risk.

With all the best intentions taking risks is not in our nature - it's habit and drive that allows us to make life commitments through goal setting. We get inspired, motivated and feel good when we can turn dreams into achieved realities. It can help you focus on what is important today, tomorrow and in the future. Goal roadmaps reveal progress and lay the groundwork towards a rewarding future. If you want your goals to become a reality, you should identify them by writing them down.

When writing goals consider the following -

Specific... No matter the goal, always write in depth. If you don't know what you want, how do you expect to accomplish it? For instance, you would like to volunteer and make a difference in your community by helping families and you like to build things. How? One way would be to clearly specify that you want to work with Habitat for Humanities building houses on the weekends. Find out all the possible way to be involved and map out how you would fit in the scheme of things.

Realistic... Never set yourself up for failure. After you have clearly defined your goals, determine whether you can live up to the expectations of those goals. If your job or lifestyle schedule keeps you from committing to a particular goal or area of interest, you might want to revisit it at a later stage in life like getting married, having kids, starting your own business, etc.

Timing? Goals are measured in short and long term durations and typically span over a lifetime, helping you stay on track and monitor your progress. As your life changes, so will your goals. It's recommended that you review and update regularly.

Measurability? Your goals should always be a measurable accomplishment - challenges your abilities, helps you to grow and become a better person, acquire a better life. When you decided to attend college you expected to receive a bachelor's degree once you completed the program, right?

It's not always easy to look in the mirror and decide what's in your future - but it can be fun. So when you put your goals together remember the above, the same principles apply no matter the purpose.