Many people mistake dreams, fantasies, and wishes for goals. 'I want to retire a billionaire, and travel the world by age 35,' some say. This is a fantasy.

It is highly unachievable, notes Glenford Smith, the peak performance coach who, this week, will provide us with better ways of designing our future.

Such a dream of early riches and retirement, he notes, is often dependent upon factors outside your control, like winning the lottery, or having an unknown uncle dying and leaving you a fortune.

Many people live in a fantasy world in order to escape the demands of everyday reality, and the work they must do to create the life they desire.

Want to know how to design a set of goals which will take you where you really want to go in 2008? For your benefit, this week we ask Smith, creator of the Magical Achievement Programme (MAP) Seminar, which will be held in Kingston on January 6, to detail the ways in which we should make plans which are highly achievable:

Outlook: Are we going about our new resolutions/goal setting in the wrong way?

GS: Most people do. The fact is that, even though this is one of the most critical life skills, we are not given adequate, if any training at all for gaol-setting and achievement. This failure spawns many problems, misconceptions and confusion regarding goals. There are two major problems that militate against the achievement of their stated desires.

The first is the inability to express goals with clarity. This might seem rather elementary, but most people miss it. Ask most people what they want, and they will either mumble something vague, try to make up the answer on the spot, or tell you what they don't want. The first law of goal-getting is: If you can't name it, you can't claim it. Or, as actor and author Ben Stein says: The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want.

Outlook: But, what about those who KNOW they want but can't seem to get it?

GS: The second major challenge to effective goal-achievement is the inability to formulate and execute the appropriate strategy leading to the goals one wants to achieve. Many people believe in being spontaneous, and consider a solid plan restrictive and limiting, yet the super-achievers in business, sports, science, or war all practise diligent planning. More importantly, they take action on their plans. A bare outline of a plan scratched on a bit of paper and acted upon is of far greater value than an elaborate strategy in Microsoft Projects, not acted upon. Daily execution, until the goal is achieved - that is the key.

Outlook: How do we distinguish between dreams and viable goals?

GS: New Year's Resolutions invariably fall into the category of dreams, fantasies, and wishes. 'I want financial freedom' is a dream. It may be something that can be achieved but lacks specificity. What does financial freedom mean? Other examples include: 'I want to lose weight', 'I want to start my own business'.

'I want to lose 15 pounds in 30 days' is a wish for many people. It conforms to the classic SMART goal-setting paradigm, meaning it is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Other wish statements include 'I want to have saved and invested $240,000 by December 31, 2008', or 'I want to qualify for the million dollar round table by December 31, 2008'.

What makes these mere wishes is whether you are committed to take the daily, practical actions required to make it happen. Will you exercise the discipline to exercise daily and eat healthily in order to lose 15 pounds? Will you actually sacrifice the things you love to buy in order to save? Are you actually prepared to learn new sales skills, give up your leisure time and spend it selling? Short term excitement without long term commitment is a recipe for failure and frustration.

Outlook: What should we do if we really want to set effective and achievable goals?

GS: Decide exactly what you want in a specific area and write it down clearly in detail. This is the outcome you are committed to achieving. Make it measurable and specific. Make sure it is i with your personal or corporate values and mission.

Set a deadline. If it is a large goal, break it down into smaller parts and set sub-deadlines.

Work back from your outcome and make a list of everything you will have to do to achieve your goal. Keep adding activities until it is complete.

Organise your list of actions into a plan, based on priority and sequence. Focus on the critical items, so you don't waste time on relatively unimportant things.

Identify the obstacles and limitations that might hold you back. These may include material and financial resources like money, car, land. Or internal resources like confidence, knowledge, discipline, winning personality, integrity, or resilience. Focus on removing this constraint or transforming it into an asset.

Take action immediately. Step out in faith and confidence. This creates momentum, and overcomes inertia.

Outlook: What actions will ensure that these goals are achieved?

GS: A daily plan of action on your strategic plan is a must. Focused, concentrated action is what makes the difference between goal setting and goal getting. Many people understand the process of goal setting, and some even set their goals, but they either fail to take action, or start and then give up before they succeed. A daily programme of developing the mindset and attitudes of winning achievers will also build sustained motivation and passion.

Outlook Team. For more information email glenfordsmith@yahoo.com