If you have never been to a place, would you know how to get there without directions? You need know what you will do to get ahead in the business and you won't know where you are going without clear, written goals.

Goal setting is critical. Written goals are like a road map. In addition to providing direction, written goals give you a way to track your progress — so this is not an assignment to be completed and forgotten. You should consider it a long-term task and keep it on your to-do list indefinitely.

Clearly defined goals can help you make decisions at critical points every day. When presented with a problem, we often consider various options as solutions. When making these decisions, you can refer to your goals. Ask yourself what actions will bring you closer to your goals and what actions might move you further away.

For instance, if you are spending your floor time catching up on gossip with the other agents in the office but your goal is to sell three houses this month, focusing on the goal may get you back to your desk for prospecting calls rather than hanging out at the coffee pot, talking.