Do this well, as it is the central part of being successful - without setting up a place to go, you probably won't go there. And if it isn't written, it is highly unlikely to be achieved, per every relevant study.
Scroll down for a list/links for pre-set goal formats.
USE A PRE-SET FORMAT
I've set up some formats for you to use, so that you won't have to create them yourself. These are set up to be thorough enough to achieve any goal and to avoid the likelihood that you'll miss a piece of what should be considered.
Follow the formats, via the links reproduced below, under "Formats".
USING GROUPS FOR GREATER EFFECTIVENESS
It is often very useful to have a group to contribute to your process and also to be sharing your progress with, with some accountability also recommended as being useful.
The Master Mind Alliance is one of the most powerful means of achieving success, as brought forth in Napoleon Hill's works, the most famous of which is Think And Grow Rich, which is a recommended read.
Setting Up a Master Mind Alliance
Book ($12), Downloadable: How To Form A Master Mind A Master Mind
Setting Up A Goal Setting Group
COACHING
Without a doubt, those who use coaches are vastly more successful and effective than are those who try to do it on their own. After all, we are human, and we learn better from someone else who has "been there" and/or devise systems that work.
IDEAS, EXAMPLES FOR GOALS
See, of course, the formats below, as many of the forms contain ideas and examples of goals.
THE FORMATS
There may be a few more listed in the central directory of formats on the Contents/Links For Planning. The following is a copy of that section as of the time of writing this page. If something isn't linked here, use the search engine on the contents/links page.
Overall
Master List of Goals
Mission-related
By period
Any goal
By Area
