Article: Having a vaguely-defined goal can make it difficult to follow through on your efforts and track your progress. However, having a clear, well-defined goal will help you stay driven and know how far you've come.  Your goal should be as clear and actionable as possible. Remember to focus on either a process goal or an outcome goal. Keep in mind, though, that you can work toward multiple goals at once. For instance, you might have an outcome goal of getting an “A” in English, and process goals along the way that help you earn that “A.” For example, instead of just saying your goal is to get through your math class, figure out what you hope to accomplish. Do you want to become more proficient in math (a process goal), or earn a good grade (an outcome goal)? Whenever you set a goal for yourself, it's important to recognize how you've progressed in working towards it. That's why you should always set goals with clear, measurable progress marks and keep track of your efforts every step of the way.  Determine in advance how you will measure success. Ask yourself, "How will I know when I've accomplished my goal?" You can mark off successes when you reach checkpoints along the way. You can even use a reward system. Choose both short-term and long-term measures of success. For example, you might measure success in the short-term by looking at how much studying and homework you get done in a week, and in the long-term by watching how your grades improve over the course of the semester. Even a good, well-defined goal could be difficult to achieve without a clear action plan. When you set your goal, make sure you include action-oriented steps as part of your goal development. That way you'll know what you're trying to accomplish and, more importantly, how you'll get there.  Be very clear in how you intend to achieve your goal. Having action-oriented steps means developing clear guidelines that lay out what (specifically) you will need to do at every step along the way. Think about the steps your goal will require, both in the short-term and in the long-term. Focus on what specifically you will need to do. For example, action-oriented steps might include completing your homework ahead of time, reviewing your notes every day after class, and arranging a meeting with your instructor. It's important to dream big, but it's also important to know what you can realistically accomplish with the materials you currently possess and the time frame you're given. Don't bite off more than you can chew, but at the same time don't give yourself a task that's too easy.  An example of a realistic goal would be to improve your course grade by one letter before the end of the semester. An unrealistic goal, by comparison, would be to turn an F into an A by the end of the semester. Be aware of what could potentially hinder your success and plan accordingly so that these obstacles do not impede your progress towards accomplishing your goal. For instance, if your goal is to get a good grade on an essay, you’ll want to be aware of other assignments that could affect the amount of time you spend working on the essay. If you're working within a school calendar, the end of that semester might be the end of your time frame. However, there's still plenty of flexibility in terms of what can be done and when it needs to be done by.  Decide in advance when your goal needs to be accomplished. Once you have a firm deadline, work your way backwards to determine when you need to begin your work and when various milestones along the way must be met. For example, if you're working within the time frame of a semester, you might decide that you'll accomplish your goal before finals week. That means working backwards to figure out what needs to be completed and when.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Make your goal as specific as possible. Ensure that your progress is measurable. Decide on action-oriented steps to accomplish your goal. Make sure your goal is realistic. Give yourself a reasonable time frame.