Are you the kind of person who makes New Year's resolutions and then sticks to them? Or are you more likely to set a goal and forget about it by February? If you're in the latter group, don't worry - you're not alone. According to a study by the University of Scranton, only 8 percent of people achieve their New Year's resolutions.

But what if there was a way to make sure that your goals for 2023 were ones that you actually stuck to? We've got some tips on how to set epic goals that will make this year your best one yet. Keep reading to find out how!

Is there a goal that you want to achieve but need help to reach? If so, it may be because your goal needs to be SMART enough. Yes, SMART with a capital S. Whenever you're setting a goal for yourself, make sure that it is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, instead of simply saying, ‘I want to get healthier this year,’ why not say, ‘I will go running three times a week for at least 30 minutes from now until the end of the year’? That way, you have tangible evidence of whether or not you have achieved your target instead of just feeling good about vaguely attempting something. So next time you decide on a goal worth pursuing - make sure you ask yourself whether it's SMART and then SMARTER it up!

Many of us want to accomplish great things in life, but only sometimes find the motivation or energy to do so. A key part of achieving our dreams is setting goals. Goals give us a destination and keep us motivated, yet it is important that the destination reflects our own personal desires and not those of others. It's all too easy for others to project their expectations onto us, and before we know it, we can find ourselves chasing after something that we never wanted in the first place. Remember that if you aren't passionate about your goals, then it's unlikely you will have the drive necessary to achieve them. Make sure your own passion only fuels your ambition; it's OK to be influenced by others, make sure deep down inside, the goal itself belongs to you.

Everyone knows the feeling of wanting something so much but not having a game plan for making it happen. Writing down your goal and putting it somewhere you'll see it every day can provide that structure and help to keep motivation high. It's like leaving yourself a daily reminder that "I have something I want to accomplish!" along with a gentle nudge to remind you that progress means taking some kind of action today. Seeing your intent written down can also make the goal seem achievable, so whether it's learning a language, taking up a hobby, or becoming your own boss - get writing!

Creating a plan of action can be both daunting and intimidating, but it's also the perfect chance to make sure you're setting yourself up for success. To get started, break down your goal into achievable chunks that can be finished within reasonable timelines. Aim to set mini-goals and deadlines that might help keep you accountable as you march towards achieving what you've set out to do. Once you have those chunks in place, create your list of tasks and assign each one a priority ranking. After this exercise is complete, start working on the tasks in order of priority. Finally, remember to celebrate every victory along the way! Achieving goals isn't easy work, so always remember to pat yourself on the back!

Setting a deadline for yourself is like grabbing the bull by its horns and taking control of your life! It's the smartest thing you can do if you want to make some real progress. Deadlines are not just for school projects; deadlines help us manage our daily life and stay on track. If you find it hard to stay motivated, make sure to set realistic yet challenging goals. But don't forget one important thing - hold yourself accountable! Keep regular check-ins, and reminders, or have somebody else be part of the equation so that you stay committed to completing your tasks on time. Once you start seeing results, it'll make all the effort worthwhile.

Set small goals for yourself and celebrate them! Whether it's a scoop of your favorite ice cream for running on the treadmill for 15 minutes or a new pair of jeans after hitting the gym three days a week, giving yourself positive reinforcement helps keep you motivated to reach larger milestones. Achieving big things tends to take time, so build up to it by patting yourself on the back as you move closer and closer to your ultimate goal! Rewards don't have to be expensive - they can be simple acts of self-care like catching up with a friend over coffee or reading a book in bed with chamomile tea. It's all about telling yourself that you're doing an awesome job and allowing yourself time to rest and recharge.

So there you have it - six tips to help you set and achieve your next big goal. Just remember: be specific, make sure it's something you really want, write it down, create a plan of action, set a deadline, and celebrate your progress along the way! Now go out there and crush that goal!