Most of us walk around with ideas and dreams of what we desire. Or rather what we want, as is the more common word used for expressing something that we don't have, but would like to have. In my hub The Power of Words I define the different terms that we use, in order to show the importance of using the right words.

The definition of the words was an introduction to the elements that are needed in order to turn those words into reality. Or said more bluntly - how to turn dreams to goals and to realization. There is an order or hirarchy involved it establishing goals. I call them the Elements of Goals. This is just a brief discussion of the various elements.

Unique
Unique here does not mean that you may be the first to think of it. Rather, unique means that it is yours, not a goal imposed on you, or adopted by you, from peers, parents, or your surroundings. The reason we set and hop to achieve goals is that they will fill us with feelings of happiness and accomplishment.

Inspirational
What this means is that goals must arouse your passion. The inspiration of it will drive you to action, and you will feel fulfilled in the action.
Life without passion is not life; it is mere existence.

Harmonious
This means that the goals must not conflict other goals or ideals. This should be easy. The more difficult part of harmonious is that they must be in harmony with who you are, with your core being.

Realistic
Whatever goals you may set must be within a size, time limit and performance limit that is realistic to who and what you are; they must be realistic within the framework of what is humanly possible.
Realistic does not mean what is commonly regarded as realistic. Let your imagination be free, and take a chance.

Specific
What this means is that there must be a quantative aspect to the goals in matter and time. The time frame and the amount or the achievement must be within the framework of what is realistic.

Adaptable
When creating goals, you will create a plan for their achievement. You must stay focused on this plan, but not blindfolded, so that you will not see other opportunities. Your plan may have been the long way round, and a new opportunity may shortcut to the goal.

Visualized
You must be able to see yourself having attained your goal. If you can't see it, then don't bother going for it. It will not happen.
There are two types of people on this. There are those who say "I will believe it when I see it" and there are those who say "I see it. I believe it. It is real if it exists in my imagination".

Affirmed
You must tell yourself every day that you can and will achieve your goal, both in your conscious talk and in your subconscious self-talk. You must also share your goal verbally with other people.

Written
As with affirmed, if it only exists in your head, it is wishful thinking, and not a goal.
95% of people with written specific goals will achieve them; 95% of people who have unwritten goals will not.

Know what you want
This seems so obvious, but unfortunately most of us walk around with vague ideas in our head. In order to start clarifying what we want we must write them down. Most people describe what they want through what they don't want.

Know why you want
Again this may seem obvious. In the process of turning a desire into a goal, we must be aware of the underlying reason why we want that something. It is usually a feeling or experience we are looking for. Once we know that the next steps become much easier.

Visualize
As state above the visualization process goal achievement is vital. If we can't see it, smell it, touch it, feel it most likely it is just a wishful thinking

Affirmation
The affirmation process can never be stressed enough. The more we affirm consciously, the more we tell the subconscious that this is reality, and the more our subconscious will cooperate.

Journal
The writing down process is a triple influence. We think about what we write, we see it as we write it, and we read it as we write it.
Journaling in the goal process helps keep you on track, and it also help clarifying why, as well as more and more details of the final goal.

Planning
In order to go from the seeing and writing, you must make a plan. You can look on it as a business plan. Without a plan you most likely will not know how to get where you want to be. No self-respecting business or organization would start without proper planning

Action
If you want to achieve your goals, you must take action. This is another reason why having a plan is so important. Without a plan you will not know what action to take. To paraphrase real estate definition: Action, action, action.

Commitment
A commitment is a strong promise. As with all promises it is first and foremost to ourselves. Without commitment the bumpy road ahead may prove too much. The best form of commitment is a written commitment signed and dated, framed and hung on the wall, where it can be easily seen.

Flexibility
The best plans have plan B and even plan C. What would you rather be in a storm - a tree or a reed? What would you rather be in a flood - a tree or a reed?
"Blessed are the flexible for they shall thrive" (mine)

Celebrate
The road is bumpy. Your subconscious is not yet convinced. Treat yourself as you go along, as you reach a mini-goal. A pat on the shoulder, a hug, yes even that icecream, or that extra hour in the gym. Whatever is celebration to you.
Life is a party.

Gratitude
Don't ever forget to be grateful. For what you have right now which includes what you see in your visualization.
But it is also being grateful for the small things - that you woke up this morning, that you are breathing, that you have a computer and know how to use it, to mention less than the tip of the iceberg.

Perseverance
Last, but not least, persevere. Don't ever give up. Your achievement is just around the corner. It is closer than you think.
This is the number one reason why people do not achieve their goals.
Be like Edison (1000 failed lightbulbs) or Colonel Sanders of KFC (who made 1000 restaurant owners jealous, when 1001 said yes to his recipe).

This is an expanded version of the second half of the talk I gave in OurLighthouseCafe on Saturday May 23, 2009.

This version includes the original second half, as well as excerpts from my e-mail course on my blog Lessons of Life Coaching.