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.
