Want to make the second half of 2017 better than the first? Consider writing your goals down daily.

There's nothing quite as rewarding as feeling that you're in a state of perpetual progress. Whether you're realizing a personal dream or advancing in the professional world, knowing that you're moving forward can generate a feeling of deep satisfaction while also boosting your self-esteem.

Even if you're happy with what you've accomplished during the first half of 2017, you're probably thinking about strategies you could implement to make the second half of the year even better. If this is the case, it's important to note that setting goals can be an incredibly effective way to make it happen. Read on to learn how to write and realize your goals so you can lead a more productive, positive life:

Setting goals is important for many reasons. First, doing so causes you to focus in on what you're attempting to accomplish. It also empowers you to start thinking about what steps you need to take to realize your specific goal. The role that goal setting plays in increasing the likelihood of realizing an objective is undeniable. As noted in Inc., people who create goals for themselves are more successful. The article also indicates that individuals lose 30% of their performance and capacity potential when they don't focus on their goals.

Another great benefit of setting goals regularly is that it helps you lead a more orderly, organized life. Unfortunately, studies show that the majority of people do not plan. This oversight is the culprit for a wide range of challenges that individuals experience in life, including financial complications and health issues. By simply becoming a purposeful planner who writes down goals and focuses on realizing them, you can get on the road to leading a more structured, productive life.

Once you recognize the great value to be found in setting goals, you may be ready to get the process underway. There are several strategies you can deploy to make the most of the goal setting process. One is making your goals SMART:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Realistic
• Time-specific

Making your goals SMART is important for several reasons. By making your goal specific, you can really zero in on a certain issue and resolving it. Having a measurable goal means that you'll be able to analyze your activity and judge results according to quantifiable data. This process will prevent any ambiguity or vagueness that might have existed regarding your efforts and their outcomes. Also note that making your goal realistic is important because if it is too challenging, you may become discouraged by your inability to realize the objective.

In addition to making your goals SMART, make sure that you place them in a visible region of your living or work space. This step is immensely powerful because by keeping the goal in eyesight, you'll be constantly thinking about it. Once your mind starts moving in this direction, you're more likely to devote mental energy to the realization of the objective.

Individuals who want to realize their personal dreams and professional visions should know that setting goals is a great way to make it happen. Use the information and ideas presented in this quick reference guide to remain on the road to goal construction and realization!  Ready to start taking action and writing your goals down? Check out our line up of planners.