"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." – Lamentations 3:22-23

August tends to bring new routines and schedules, whether or not you have kids starting school. Fittingly, it's also National Wellness Month — a natural time to renew focus on your goals.

A busy month is still a good time to introduce structure and stop putting off the goals you've always wanted to achieve. Ask yourself: if not now, then when? There's no perfect time to start — the longer you wait, the less time you have to move forward. Start keeping promises to yourself with micro goals.

What are micro goals?

These are small, actionable steps toward a larger goal. If you want to lose 100 pounds, commit to five minutes of activity a day. If you want to save a large sum, start by saving a small percentage of your income each month. Micro goals favor consistency over intensity, build momentum, stay flexible and create sustainable growth.

How to set micro goals

1. Identify your larger goal, then break it into smaller steps.

2. Make them specific and measurable. Instead of "learn more about nutrition," try "read 10 pages of a nutrition book each day."

3. Keep them realistic and attainable — nothing overwhelming, no matter what your day brings. Harvard Business School notes that small, achievable tasks build psychological momentum, and completing them daily can motivate others too.

4. Limit yourself to one or two micro goals at a time. Once they feel routine, add more.

5. Track your progress. A checklist, journal or app can motivate you. Celebrate every micro goal achieved to reinforce the habit.

If you're enrolled in Vitality, check out "Build Healthy Habits" on the powerofvitality.com homepage for support on diabetes prevention, financial wellness, joint and bone health, mental health, sleep and weight management.

Start TODAY!

A train in motion is difficult to stop. It’s the same when you build momentum. Like retirement savings, results aren't immediate, but each micro goal compounds. Whatever your goals or dreams, stop waiting. Start your journey by setting micro goals.