At the beginning of each year we often make resolutions and set our goals for the coming year. To be effective you need to put your goals in writing and review them on a regular basis. If you simply make a goal or don’t write it down how do you know when or if you’ve achieved the goal? This same rule applies to real estate goals as well. Make your goals realistic. You may say you’d like to own a million dollars worth of Sanibel Island real estate before the year ends. Although this may be an achievable goal ask yourself if it’s a realistic goal for your financial circumstances. Make a goal that can be measured. If you say for example that your goal is exercise more how are you going measure your accomplishments. Will it be the number of days you attend the gym? The amount of time you spend on the treadmill? Make your goal specific. Will it be to attend the gym 4 days a week? Add $1,000 per month to your savings account? Now you have a goal that can be measured as well as being specific. You should also set a deadline to achieve this goal. If you’re in the process of looking for an investment property on Sanibel Island you might set the goal of deciding on a property within the next 120 days. This timeline will spur you into action to accomplish the goal you’ve set for yourself. Make your goal achievable by breaking the larger goal into smaller, more specific steps. For example in our search for Sanibel Island real estate you may set the goal of contacting a qualified realtor within the next 7 days. The next step might be to preview at least 5 properties that meet your investment criteria within the next 30 days, etc. If you have a friend with a positive personality, don’t be afraid to share your goals with them. It can often times be helpful to get a little push to keep you on track. You’ll want to be flexible with your goals as well and be prepared to make adjustments in your goals as time progresses. Successful people sit down, think through their goals, and write them down in a realistic, specific and measureable manner. You can be one of those people!