Goal setting is the process of identifying specific objectives you want to achieve and creating a plan to reach them. It involves defining clear, measurable, and time-bound targets that guide your actions and decisions. By setting goals, you can focus your efforts, track your progress, and stay motivated. Effective goal setting often follows the SMART criteria, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This framework helps ensure that your goals are realistic and attainable, making it easier to maintain commitment and measure success over time.