Goals

kooky panda stated that you may need to be level 10 to have goals.

So these tips are mostly assuming you won't be using gems to skip. (Though sometimes it is better to skip with gems than purchase or do what is asked.) The examples use Bakery Christmas goals but similar idea applies in most situations.

    1. Don't procrastinate! Find a balance between completing the goals and mastering regularly released recipes in anticipation that it may be taken away. I like to focus on making just enough to meet the goal quota and master regular recipes with leftover appliances. For instance, if I have 14 appliances and need to cook 40 Chocolate Cake, I will cook 14 the first batch, 13 the second batch, and 13 the third batch. For the second and third batch, I'll look ahead and see if I want to start making another or the next goal's requirement or if I rather master one of the regularly released recipes.
    2. Very important, plan accordingly.
      1. The biggest way this applies is deciding if a goal is worth pursuing or not, especially nearer to TL's announced deadlines and/or if you are lower level.
        1. If there's 12H left of the goal and you have maximally 8 appliances and still need to make something that's 16H and need 20 of them? You're not going to make the deadline so no point in bothering.
        2. If on the other hand you need to cook 20 of the items, you have 8 appliances and it's 1H each, then yes, you will make the deadline.
        3. Or if you're on Egging Him On and there's 2 days left, you'll have a hard time getting all your requested materials before the deadline since there's three parts to it and takes about 3 days to get all unless you're really good at figuring out which neighbors will accept your requests.
        4. And various other variations. So take a moment to figure out, will you really make the deadline or not. Do take other goals into account because if you're completing one goal's requirements, you can't bake for another goal. If need be, write it out! .
      2. This also refers to the order you complete the goals. For instances, knowing that A Spoonful of Sugar requires you to have the Candy Cake recipe, focus on getting that recipe first before trying to complete A Spoonful of Sugar.
      3. Try to knock out as much of each goal as you can in parallel. If you're still on Party Planning and another goal, request a Measuring Cup from one of your neighbors first who is fairly active and then request items from your other neighbors.
      4. If you're about to complete a goal that unlocks another part, if you have leftover appliances, you can make the next required recipe. For instance, if I have a total of 14 appliances and I was on Ice Cream Expert and needed 10 more Chocolate Tarts, I could make 10 Chocolate Tarts and have 4 appliance free. I could make shorter recipes on the 4 remaining appliances and when the Chocolate Tart has 6 hours left to go, start making Fruit Tarts on those 4. When the Chocolate Tarts are ready, serve them first to complete the goal, be sure to view the next one and serve my 4 Fruit Tarts to start meeting the requirements for Finishing Touches.
      5. If two current, active goals both need the same recipe cooked, you can serve the same food and it counts for both.
      6. You need to have viewed the goal details (i.e. it is an active goal) before you serve food for it to count towards the goal. Unless otherwise stated, it's the serving part that is what's needed for the requirement. (So cooking in advance is fine, but serving before you unlock and view the goal won't count.)
    3. Don't blindly skip/buy gem items. If you're hoping to unlock and recipe so you can master it for the 2 gems, but need to purchase a gem item or skip, you're likely to come out with negative net gems. (Meaning you spent more to unlock the recipe than you gained from master.) In Bakery this applies to March of the Reindeer to get Mince Pie. But by all means, buy/skip if you want the Ginger Clause item (a sleigh). In Restaurant this mainly applies to Affridgative Action (and Pumpkin Pride with the Chocolate Fountain if you can't afford the gold) and the snowman waiter.
    4. You can maximally accept 20 gifts and receive maximally 20 requested items (combination of goal items and parts request) in a rolling 24H period. You can gift to a neighbor 24 hours after you last gifted them. You can request again after TL's server resets at midnight.
    5. This is a personal preference. I haven't really thought about pros and cons of this method versus another. When requesting material parts, I prefer to request the same parts from all my neighbors from one appliance (and sometimes even sell it after I put that appliance down). Yes it takes longer to create the item but you'll get leftovers and technically after about 4 days of requesting, you can make 2-4 of that item. I'm currently doing so for my Fireplace Ovens. :3.
    6. Once you've planned it out, have fun and stop worrying! (Now I just need to take my own advice...) If you're going to make it, you're going to make it. Otherwise, focus your attention elsewhere.