Use the following guide as you set goals and monitor results:

• Gather information through observation and research about the criteria for excellence in the area for which you have a goal. It could be public speaking, writing, test-taking, handling stress, or managing time.
• Observe confident people who seem to do well in your area of interest.
• Assess your own skills and attitudes.
• Decide upon the ones you need to improve, listing the barriers to improvement: fear, resistance, and negative self-talk.
• Establish performance targets.
• Record accurate feedback.
• Develop strategies to help create the results you want. For example, for improved public speaking, tape yourself on video and practice confident tone, body stance, and eye contact.
• Monitor results, and vary and adjust strategies.
• Establish measurable performance targets.