The most important question you need to ask yourself before you set out to achieve any kind of goal is a simple one: Why?

After all, as William Shakespeare said, "Strong reasons make strong actions," and if you don’t have powerful reasons for achieving your goal, you don’t stand a chance.

Research has shown that our motivation is highest when we value the outcome of the goal we are working toward.

Without a strong grasp on what's motivating you, you won't be able to persevere during difficult times.

I’m sure you’ve heard variations of the statistic that 90 percent of all New Year’s resolutions fail. There are a few reasons for this, but the most prominent one is that most people set these goals because they “feel right” or because they are “the right thing to do.” Well, these reasons are simply not enough to withstand the temptations (Seamless! Pizza! Social media!) or obstacles that will surely arise as you work toward your goal.

You’re human. Your energy, your focus, and your motivation are all limited resources. Your goals must be strategic to be effective—determine if they're worth the inevitable obstacles using these five simple steps: