When setting goals, make sure they have these 14 basic ingredients.

SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time Phased
PURE: Positively stated, Understood, Relevant, Ethical
CLEAR: Challenging, Legal, Environmentally sound, Agreed, Recorded

In the book, The Decision Book, it is important to distinguish between final goals and performance goals. The goal should also be attainable and challenging at the same time.

Goal setting is part of GROW – Goal, Reality, Options, Will model by John Whitmore