Goals can be defined as a specific target for positive change. We all want to strive for positive change. Positive change brings growth, increase and benefits. As a mom, these goals may include setting a goal to potty training your child - no more diapers! Or cooking healthier meals ? you'll live longer! Or keeping your house clean ? less clutter to stress you out!

Likewise, as a business woman, it's imperative that you set goals to increase your business and, ultimately, your income. Maybe you want to increase your customer base, develop new ideas or just reorganize your filing system.

Whatever your goal happens to be, there are certain things you can do to achieve whatever you set out to do. Here are seven tips to keep in mind:

1. Get a Vision ? What is the driving force behind your goal? Picture in your mind exactly what it is you'd like to achieve. Success? Health? Financial freedom? A good reputation? Zoning in on your exact target makes is easier to shoot for.

2. Be Specific ? Now it's time for the particulars. If you want success, what do you need to set so you can make that happen? If you want to achieve better overall health, maybe it's your goal to cook five healthy meals per week for your family or to get on that treadmill every day. Setting smaller, specific goals will help you achieve the bigger vision.

3. Write it Down ? Write down your goal and post it somewhere you'll see it every day. Read it out loud every morning to remind yourself of what you're striving for. There is something about seeing your aspiration in print that makes it more real and more attainable.

4. Be Realistic ? Setting impossible goals only causes frustration which often leads to giving up altogether. Set a target that is challenging, but reasonable. If you're in the party plan business, saying, ?I will hold ten home shows this month,? is a goal completely out of your control. It might happen, but you really have no way of knowing whether ten people will agree to host a show or if any shows will get cancelled. Instead, say, ?I will contact ten people about hosting a show this month.? This is something you are able to do. It will give you something to shoot for to increase the potential for more shows.

5. Be Accountable ? Ask one or two people to check in on you and keep you accountable. This may be your husband, an older child, or a friend. Often, we get lazy and slack off. Knowing someone will be checking in is often the motivation we need to stick to it.

6. Reward Yourself - When you lose that last thirty pounds, go out and buy a new outfit. When you reach a particular level in your business, take the day off and do something fun or purchase that briefcase you've had your eye on.

7. Cut Yourself Some Slack ? So you didn't meet your goal. So what? Take a look at the reasons it didn't work out and start all over, determining that this time you WILL achieve what you set out to do.

Setting and working toward goals is something that should never end. Both personally and in business, goals need to be in place in order to achieve and maintain the success and growth we all strive for.