5. What sorts of goals should people set?

I would urge people to think big and set long-term goals that excite them, without worrying at first about how they are going to get there. It really is a shame when people limit their lives by telling themselves that what they really want isn't realistic. The only way to find out what's realistic is to go for it.

You also need short-term goals to aim at, to give you something that's achievable and to give your unconscious mind some behavioural reinforcement when you achieve them. Psychologists have found (Ken Sheldon and Tim Kasser if you want to look them up) that people are happier when they achieve "vertical coherence" in their goal-setting - that is, when your higher-level and short-term goals are aligned so that achieving the immediate goal takes you closer to the big one. 6. How should people go about setting goals?

First, get yourself into a positive emotional state by reviewing what's already working in your life, what you like doing, what you've achieved already and what you're proud of. This will help you find your direction, get you thinking more strategically, and also help you to feel like you deserve success.

Then clarify your values - what's important to you - in the area of your life in which you want to set goals. Typical areas might include work and career, relationships, finances, health and fitness, and personal development.

Only then, when you're feeling good and you know what's important to you, should you start thinking about specific goals that will satisfy your values. Get clear about what you want, get a clear sensory image of what it will look, sound and feel like, and set a specific date for it in your future.

7. What are your top 3 tips for successful goal setting?

Okay, the first one would have to be focus on what you want, not what you want to get away from. If you don't know what you want, how will you know if you're on the right track, or recognise when you've got there? It may sound a bit "cosmic ordering" to say that your unconscious mind attracts what you focus on, but it's only another expression of that principle widely recognised in business that you are going to move in the direction of whatever targets you set. "Towards" motivation gives you a direction, it gets even stronger when you get close to achieving your goal, and you feel good when you have it. "Away from" motivation, by contrast, is undirected, it runs out when you get far enough from the thing you want to avoid, and it's stressful.

Next, form a sensory image of your goal - what will you see, hear and feel when you have it? This is vital for motivation. Most people are familiar with the idea that goals should be SMART - specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timed - but you'll notice there's nothing in there about whether you care if you achieve them or not. Using your senses gives you that missing piece by providing something to engage your emotions.

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