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. 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.