Unfortunately, setting goals that are too ambitious has a major downside. When we don’t reach our big goals, we experience failure. Failing often can reduce your self-confidence and ability to trust yourself.

Instead of setting one big goal, try setting many little goals that put you in the...

Ask yourself what in your current situation is really making you unhappy, and what have you not yet considered that could solve it. Once you have answers, consider them as possible solutions.

Alternative solutions may not sound that attractive, but it is more realistic.

Part of dealing with any problem is setting a goal to overcome it. Set goals to deal with your problems that you can attain. Use the SMART method to set goals towards solving your problems. SMART means: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely.

• For example, maybe you want to h...