There’s a science to setting goals．Below，we share some research-backed tips to help you carry out successful goals．
Choose a goal that matters，not just easy win．
A meaningful goal—that truly inspires you to change—requires going deeper．Think about what you want in the coming year, then ask yourself you want that．For example，if you walk to quit (smoke), ask why do you want to quit? Then, if you want to quit for your health ask why do you want good health? Then，if your answer is to be alive long enough (meet)your grandchildren，ask why do you want to meet your grandchildren?
Set up your goals positively．
How you describe your goal makes big difference．Focusing on you want to“bring into your life —not what you want to avoid—wi11 make you more likely to(actual)pursue it.
Prepare for failure(in a good way)．
Moments of failure (be)unavoidable，but most of us abandon the goal entirely when slight failures and setbacks start piling up．At the moment when you fail，often the first instinct(本能)is to push the goal away. It's so(comfort)to be in that condition of self-doubt or self-criticism and guilt．
Your task is not to avoid failures， to plan for them．Ask yourself, how am I likely to fail? For example，if you’re likely to choose unhealthy meals when you’re hungry, carry a light snack with you．