Why Should You Use Goal Setting? Inspirational Video

What is a Goal Anyway? Now that you have a clearer idea of who you are it is important that you continue to grow and develop your strengths and abilities. Ask yourself: ◦ Who am I? ◦ Where am I now? ◦ Where do I want to go? ◦ How am I going to get there?

What is a Goal Con’t Translating dreams into specific goals and striving to achieve them is taking action. Action raises your self-esteem, or opinion of yourself.

Goals must be both reachable and meaningful. Be realistic about who you are and what your strengths and abilities are A goal should also be meaningful. They are set to help you on your journey to success.

Types of Goals Long Term Goals: 2+ years. Short Term Goals: 2 years or less.

Long or Short Term Passing the next math test? Going to university? Having a family? Getting a job for the summer?

Steps to Goal Setting 1. Decide on your goals and list them 2. Develop an action plan to achieve goals 3. Evaluate your achievement 4. Revise Goals and plans

"TIME IS LIFE. TO WASTE YOUR TIME IS TO WASTE YOUR LIFE; TO MANAGE YOUR TIME IS TO MANAGE YOUR LIFE." -- ALAN LAKEIN

How to Set Goals Learning how to set goals is as important as knowing what the goal should contain. This is where S.M.A.R.T. goals come in.

5 Qualities of Effective Goals S.M.A.R.T. Effective goals have important qualities. They are specific, measureable, attainable, realistic and timely.

SPECIFIC The Goal should be SPECIFIC enough so that we know exactly for what we are striving. Not specific – I want to pass math class. Specific – I want to increase my math mark from a 45% to a 55% by the end of the course, by studying / doing homework every night for a half an hour.

MEASURABLE A goal must be MEASURABLE. You should be able to answer very specifically, when and how you will know you attained your goal. For example, I will know when I have reached my goal because I will receive my progress report by March 19 with an update of my mark in math.

Attainable A goal needs to stretch you slightly so you feel you can do it, and it will need a real commitment from you. Although “completing the Goal’s activity for Ms Falconer,” might be a realistic goal, it lacks meaning and does not stretch you.

Attainable, con’t. Similarly, becoming a millionaire might not be that attainable for you if you don’t know exactly how you are going to get there (and it’s not something that most of us will achieve  ;)

REALISTIC A goal must be REALISTIC. Challenging yourself is an important part of goal setting. You want to aim high; however, you also need to be realistic.

Timely When will you reach your goal? If your goal is large, try breaking it down and creating deadlines. For example, if I want to improve my math mark from a 60 to a 75% by the end of the course, my shorter term goal might be to study every night after school for 30 minutes for the next test.

Why Goals Fail The goal was not written down. Rewards for achieving the goals were not given. The goal was unrealistic or not specific enough. The goal is not really believable or little commitment exists. The person who set the goal has not told anyone else for added accountability, help and support. The goal was not incorporated into a realistic plan that includes measurements, timelines and resources.

The Benefits of Setting Goals Suffer less from stress and anxiety Concentrate better Show more self-confidence Perform better Are happier

"AN UNWRITTEN WANT IS A WISH, A DREAM, A NEVER HAPPEN. THE DAY YOU PUT YOUR GOAL IN WRITING IS THE DAY IT BECOMES A COMMITMENT THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE. ARE YOU READY?" - TOM HOPKINS

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