I absolutely fell in love with setting goals and have been doing it for years now. Goal-setting is a good habit to have to get clarity and motivation in working towards the things you want to focus on for the semester. I love setting goals for the semester, but you can also set them for the day or even year. Setting goals will help remind yourself of what you truly want out of life and help you cultivate the things that matter to you most. If you have vague goals, you're not going to end up where you want. The power of S.M.A.R.T. goals lies in its simple formula. Goals should be smart, measurable, attainable, realistic/relevant and time-bound.
Specific
Your goal should specifically state what, when, where and why your objective is to be accomplished. It must be clear and should not be ambiguous so that you know exactly what you are aiming to do. For example, rather than stating you would like to earn an A on Chemistry exams, instead your goal should say something like, exceed the course requirements in Chemistry to earn an A on exams. I will read all chapters before class, meet with the professor and study with classmates to achieve my grade.
Measurable
Your goal should be able to be measured in some way so you can see if you achieved it or not. Making your goal measurable will also help you to keep track of your progress. How can earning an A on Chemistry exams be measured? You can track your progress through apps like iStudiez Pro or note them on an Excel Sheet. An example of a measurable goal is I will read before each class and review my notes at least once a week. I will visit my professor prior to each exam.
Attainable
What are you going to do to make your goal happen? In order to achieve it, you must be willing to make some sort of effort. Achievable? Do you stretch yourself? Yes, I struggled in chemistry in high school, but I will work to accomplish this. Challenge a friend or a classmate to set a similar goal, others often make us more accountable.
Relevant
A goal is a not a wish; it should be something that is attainable to you as an individual. Is it important to you? Yes. An A in Chemistry sets me up to apply for medical school. Starting off small and building up in increments is often a great way to make a goal realistic.
Timely
Set a date for when you want to accomplish your goal so that you can keep yourself accountable. By when? 4 weeks until the first exam. Professor office hours that match my schedule are Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.
Goals should be maps to where you want to go. Here are some tips on how to set monthly goals.
1. Reflect
At the end of each month, sit down in a quiet place and reflect on what you want to embody for the next month. Make them meaningful and personal so you are motivated to carry them through.
2. Make a List
Writing down your goals will help make them more tangible. I find it helpful to first do a brain dump and write everything down that comes to mind when I'm reflecting. Doing this helps to clear your mind and gets to the bottom of what you truly want. After the brain dump, pick a few that you really want to focus on this month. You don’t have to have a specific number of goals. Choose a number of goals that are achievable for you.
3. Keep it Positive
Focus on the good as much as you can. Making your goals positive and uplifting will help shape a positive tone in your thinking and beyond.
4. Hang Your List Somewhere Visible
Like any habit, you’re going to need some reminding. Hanging it up in a spot that you frequently visit is ideal. Revisit the goals you set frequently so you’re constantly reminded of what you’re trying to work for this month. I hang it over my coffee maker or write it on the bathroom mirror in Expo Marker.
5. Reflect…Again
After setting goals, it’s easy to get caught up in your daily life and forget about them. Before going to bed I reflect on how I embodied my goals throughout the day. This helps to keep my goals in my daily thoughts and allows me to reflect on what I’m doing great on and what I need to work on.
6. Have Fun
Remember that this is a fun guiding practice to help you live your best life. If you’re having a bad day or you’re not feeling motivated, give yourself permission to start fresh the next day.
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