Setting Goals Effectively
Goal setting, the right way.
Effective goal setting is imperative to long term success. The goals you set dictate what you work towards. The things you work on daily dictate where you end up in life. Set small goals, get small wins. Set large goals… you understand.
“Aim for the moon and end up amongst the stars”
I’m sure we’ve all heard that once or twice before. Aim high. Even if you don’t finish high up where you aimed, you will end up a lot higher than the point you started at.
Setting attainable goals involves a few key steps:
Define Your Goal Clearly: Be specific about what you want to achieve. Vague goals are harder to reach. Don’t just say, “I want to finish school”, instead be more specific and say “I want to finish school with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and a minor in Cybersecurity. I plan on doing this in 4 years from start to finish”. You see the difference between the two?
Make it Measurable: Establish criteria for measuring progress. This helps you track your success. By putting a set date on the goal (“in 4 years”) you are able to check in with yourself throughout those 4 years to make sure you are on track to graduate with the right classes for your major.
Ensure it’s Realistic: Consider your resources, time, and skills. Set goals that challenge you but are still within reach. If you aren’t already on track to go to college, what is standing between you and being a student? Is completing a 4 year degree in the 4 years realistic given your current situation? Set goals that align with where you’re going. If you don’t think you’ll be able to get into the school, you might want to rethink your pathway and timeline in case you have to add in summer classes to get on level with math etc.
Set a Timeframe: Establish a deadline for your goal to create urgency and focus your efforts. Timelines make you work harder and faster. Pressure busts pipes and makes diamonds. If you say “I want to finish my degree in 10 years”, you know you can do it faster but the longer timeline allows you the space to procrastinate. Don’t give yourself space to procrastinate.
Break it Down: Divide the goal into smaller, manageable tasks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Break it down day by day, month by month, year by year (all depending on your goal and that goal’s actual timeline). If you tell someone they have to build an entire house in a year, it will be daunting. If you tell someone they have to lay a few bricks a day or install a few pieces of drywall a day, eventually after 12 months, your house will be complete. Smaller tasks that are a part of a bigger picture > one big picture to complete.
Review and Adjust: Regularly assess your progress and be flexible to adjust your goals as needed
Love this post? Check out Creating a 5 Year Plan, where I dive into the framework of an effective 5 year plan, helping you create one for yourself along the way.
