Howdy! Let’s do something important: creating goals that will last. These aren’t ones that disappear over time because we lose our interest. The goals I’m explaining allow anyone to accomplish them no matter the situation and be successful. A study done by The Dominican University has proven that people who write down their goals are 42% more likely to reach them. How can goals be made that will motivate behavior and drive real change? Let’s find out!
Why Goals Are Important
Goal planning isn’t only a time-management tool, it’s a major breakthrough-for developing self-esteem and building the life of our dreams.
Focus: Knowing your goals helps you avoid distractions.
Motivation: When problems occur, goals help us stay on track.
Recording Progress: Tracking our advances lets us see our growth overtime and celebrate small accomplishments.
SMART Goals Explained:
Let’s explore a proven method for setting clear, actionable, and results-driven goals: SMART goals.
SMART Goals are an important and successful method to achieve the goal you want.
"Don't talk about it, be about it. Don't just dream about what you're gonna do. Be about that action and go do it". - Beyonce
SMART stands for:
Specific: Explain exactly what goal you want to reach in detail.
Measurable: Track progress as you are working toward a goal and show the positive changes that have been made.
Achievable: Make small goals that you know you can do every time.
Relevant: Goals that align with your values, morals, and what's most interesting to you.
Time-bound: Set a time-limit to encourage continuous improvement.
Making a vague statement such as “I want to do better on assignments” lacks clarity. Setting a goal that gives exact outcomes such as “I will study 30 minutes three times per week for the next month to get an A on my language arts book report.” will ensure success.
How To Set Goals That Last
Here’s a guide that will walk you through how to make goals that last:
Picture it in your mind: Visualize the goals that you wish to achieve and use the vision you made to think about specific goals that are wanted in any area of your life. Picture in your mind the feelings of accomplishment when the task is completed and the process of the goal. Be sure to include the taste, hearing, smell, touch, and sights that are present at the moment you succeed.
Don’t Stay Stuck: Life changes quickly and sometimes plans need to be adjusted for us to accomplish goals. Make sure to keep the original goal in mind while changing the process to keep you on track.
Celebrate Accomplishments: Commemorate wins whether big or small as it keeps motivation higher because we feel the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles.
Typical Goal-Setting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Vague Goals: Set goals without a specific objective. Detail each part of the process.
Ignoring Your Why: Being consistent and continuing to pursue a goal isn’t always easy. Sometimes asking yourself why it matters to you is important to keep a good outlook.
Being Overwhelmed: Too many goals can lead to discouragement. Only set goals that won’t overload you and focus only on one or two at once.
Skipping Accountability: Share your goals with people you can trust and are close to who can keep you accountable.
Your Blueprint for Success
Goal setting isn’t about checking off tasks on a list, but about making the life of your dreams. Take small, manageable, and consistent steps and keep in mind that progress is more important than perfection. Remember that everyone starts at the beginning so keep a positive mindset and you will go far.
So, what’s your biggest dream? Write it down, practice SMART, and see your blueprint for change emerge. You can do this!
Works Cited
Bailey, Chris, director. “How to Get Your Brain to Focus.” TEDxManchester, season 0, episode 0, 5 April 2019. Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu4Yvq-g7_Y. Accessed 12 December 2024.
Coreen, David. “The Science Behind Goal Achievement – DAVRON.” DAVRON, 19 January 2024, https://www.davron.net/the-science-behind-goal-achievement/. Accessed 29 December 2024.
Duneier, Stephen, director. “How to Achieve Your Most Ambitious Goals.” TED Taalk, season 0, episode 0, 2018. Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQMbvJNRpLE. Accessed 29 December 2024.
“Goal Setting Techniques: Ways To Effectively Set and Achieve Goals.” NSLS, https://www.nsls.org/goal-setting-techniques. Accessed 29 December 2024.
Martin, Sam, director. “Mental Imagery in Sport - a Complete guide.” Peak Performance, season 0, episode 0, 22 February 2021. Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_vqkXQb5yE.
Ray, April. “SMART Goals and Your Teen.” The Blue Heart Foundation, https://theblueheartfoundation.org/smart-goals-and-your-teen/. Accessed 29 December 2024.
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