When considering your financial goals for the future, both near and long-term, there is a S.M.A.R.T. way to go about it. Goals that are most likely to be realized are:
Specific
"I want to save enough money to pay for my kids college expenses." vs " I will open a 529 plan and contribute $1,000 to it per month for the next year."
Measurable
"I want to be financially stable." vs "I want to see a 20% decrease in my debt by the end of the year."
Achievable
"I want to retire early." vs "I'd like to research how early retirement might impact my other defined goals."
Realistic
"I want that vacation home." vs "I want to explore how I might be able to acquire a vacation property and use it as an investment opportunity."
Time-bound
"I want to have a debt-free future." vs "By the time I retire, I want to have paid down all my debt."