I am sick of goals and goal experts. You know, the people that spam you around the first of the year proclaiming they are the ones who can “help you” get to the next level. They have the magic “goal-achievement formula.”

All you have to do to achieve your goals is pay the sender of the email.

I am not an expert at setting goals. Rather, I’m an achiever.

To me “goal” is the wrong word. It tells me there’s something I HOPE or SEEK to achieve. I think you should call them the “achievements I’m striving for, and intend to make happen.” Whoa! That sounds like a whole different (better) process.

The reason most goals are not met is simple: Starting with the goal is wrong. Making the goal is the middle of the process.

Here’s the achievement formula and process that will work: Before you make a goal, first define and write down what’s happening in your life at this moment.

What is my present situation? Ask yourself: What’s happening in my life? What’s happening in the lives of others that may affect me? What’s happening at my job and in my career? What’s going on in my family?

What is my present status? What are my skills? My capabilities? My shortcomings? What are the things I need to work on? What is my experience level? How’s my health? What’s my demeanor? How positive is my attitude?

What are my opportunities this year? What is available for me to grasp, accomplish, or achieve in both career and life? FYI: If you’re facing major change, maybe you should redefine it as opportunity. If you do, you’ll see the other side of the picture.

What are my objectives? What’s been on my mind to do? What do I want to make happen?

What are my needs? What do I “gotta do” whether I like it or not?

What are my desires? What do I really wanna do?

What are my intentions? Am I writing down a 20-year dream, or am I dedicating myself to the tasks necessary to get something achieved in a short space of (defined) time?

What are my beliefs? How strong do I believe in my company? My product? My service? Do I believe I can differentiate myself from others? Do I believe that my customer is better off purchasing from me?