Setting Goals for Success

Setting Goals for Success

 By Myriah Strivelli

--Myriah Strivelli is an English lab instructor in Learning Support Services. Besides her work at HCC, Myriah is also working on a master's degree in English at East Carolina University.

Setting goals is crucial for success. Research shows that people who set goals are happier and are more likely to achieve what they want in life. John Norcross, a researcher who has been studying goals for many years, defines a goal as "a mental representation of a desired outcome that a person is committed to" (Meek). There are short-term goals and long-term goals. Short-term goals may be set for the week, month, or year, whereas long-term goals may be set for a longer length of time. You can think of goals like roadmaps. They indicate where you are going and how to get there. If you don’t set goals, you may end up aimlessly wandering without clear direction and purpose (Smith).

The process of goal setting can be broken down into easy steps. The first step is to figure out what sort of goals you want to make. To determine this, you need to do some self-discovery. Start by taking a look at your values and priorities. Use a journal or create a computer file specifically for working with your goals. Write a list of what makes you happy and what you are good at. The main areas of life you will want to look at include health, relationships, spirituality and/or religion, career, mental health, emotional health, contribution to society, and money. Then, keeping the list in mind, think about things you want to achieve, how you want to be, and what skills you would like to learn. Brainstorm possible goals in these categories (Meek).

The second step is to look over the list of potential goals, and choose which goal you see as most important to start with. You want to make sure that the goal is stated in the positive. In addition, your goal should be personal for you rather than being based on what someone else wants you to do (Parvin). It should be realistic, achievable, and specific, with measurable outcomes, and a deadline (Meek). This makes it easy to determine when you have reached the goal. For instance, instead of saying, “I don’t want to be overweight”, you would say something such as, “and I would like to weigh 150 pounds by May 31.”

Next, break down your goal into sub-goals. These are simple small steps you can take to get closer to your goal. You may also set deadlines for the sub-goals. For instance, working with the same goal, you could break it down into steps such as: 1. Join the local gym by the end of the week 2. Start an exercise routine, and exercise at least 40 minutes three times a week 3. Replace at least one fast food meal with a homemade low-fat meal once a week. Determine if you need any additional skills that you don’t already have to reach your goal. If so, come up with a plan to gain those skills and set them as sub-goals (Smith).

Identify obstacles that could stand in the way of your goal. There are internal and external obstacles. For each obstacle, write ways in which you can avoid falling into those traps (Tracy). You may also write a list of opportunities, which will help you achieve your goal. For instance, you may write something such as, “Find an exercise buddy to help motivate me and make working out more fun.”

Put plenty of focus on your goal to stay on track. Think about your goal when you wake up every morning, remind yourself of it throughout the day, and think about it before you go to sleep at night. You may want to write your goal on post it notes with encouraging phrases as a gentle reminder. Stick these notes where you will see them on a regular basis.

Share your goal with someone close to you who is supportive and trustworthy. It could be your mom, counselor, friend, sister, or classmate. They can hold you accountable and keep you driven and focused (Smith).

Lastly, keep in mind that sometimes your goals will change or alter slightly, and this is natural. Make it a daily habit of checking in to make sure that your goals are still appropriate. Once you accomplish your goal, it is important to take time to reward yourself. Do something nice for yourself. Using the same example as before, you could reward yourself for losing weight by purchasing a new outfit. You will soon discover that it is worthwhile to learn the process of setting and achieving goals. You will be happier and more successful in life if you do!

Works Cited

Meek, Will. “How to Set Goals.” Psychology Today, 2013. Web. 25 Feb 2016.

Parvin, Cordell M. “The Why and How of Planning and Setting Goals.” 59.2 Practical Lawyer, 2013. Apr 2013: 19-20. Web. 11 Mar 2016.

Smith, Jim L. “Effective Goal Setting.” Quality Magazine, 2013. Web. 11 Mar 2016.

Tracy, Brian. Goals! : How to Get Everything You Want -- Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible (2nd Edition). Williston: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2010. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 26 Jan 2016.