Goals Study Handouts

GOALS “Consider your plans for the future. What do you want to do with your life. Do your plans include further education and a family? What kind of career are you interested in pursuing? Setting goals can help you shape your life in positive ways by focusing your energy on behaviors that you want to develop or change.” Goal – something you aim for that takes planning and work. When you set a goal and plan strategies to achieve it, consider how much time it will take to accomplish the goal. Short-term goals are ones that you will achieve in the near future (e.g., in a day, within a week, or possibly within a few months). Long-term goals are ones that you will achieve over a longer period of time (e.g., one semester, one year, five years, or twenty years). Achieving Your Goals To establish and reach your goals, create an action plan. Action plan – a multi-step strategy to identify and achieve your goals. ● Set a specific, realistic goal, and write it down – state your goal as something positive. ● List the steps you will take to reach your goal. ● Identify sources of help and support – friends, family members, peers, teachers, neighbors, etc. ● Set a reasonable time frame for reaching your goal. ● Evaluate your progress by establishing checkpoints – periodically check your progress and make any necessary adjustments. Revisions may be necessary if your goal was too lofty (difficult) or easy. ● Reward yourself for achieving your goal – celebrate and enjoy the personal satisfaction of reaching your goal. ● Consider the obstacles that are more likely to affect you as you mature: o Gender o Race o Heredity o Behaviors o Culture Which of these factors are more likely to affect you??