Setting Goals Can Help Improve Your Life
Have you ever wanted to learn a special family recipe, but felt too overwhelmed to do so?
That is where “goal setting” can help.
Are you thinking about going to college, but do not know how to apply?
Many people spend their lives thinking about things they want to do, but never get around to actually doing them.
What are goals?
A goal is something you want to do, to be or to have.
It is important to first ask yourself: “Do I have the resources—that is, time, money, permission, etc.— to do it now?”
You will have to work towards your goal after you figure out what resources you need to reach that goal.
Short term and long-term goals
A short-term goal is something you want to dosoon. A long-term goal is something you want to accomplish later, for example, in six months or in 10 years, depending on your perspective.
For example, Sarah’s short-term goal is to learn her grandmother’s kanofa recipe.
Her long-term goal is to work as a pastry chef in a famous bakery in Seattle.
What are S.M.A.R.T. goals?
“S.M.A.R.T goals” can provide a framework for identifying and achieving your goals. S.M.A.R.T stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timebound.
Sarah is going to use S.M.A.R.T. goals to help her learn her grandmother’s recipe and become a pastry chef. Here is how:
Specific: Be clear.
Since she was five years old, Sarah’s goal has been to work as a pastry chef in a famous bakery in Seattle.
To achieve this goal, Sarah decides to enroll in pastry school.
Measurable: Track your progress.
Sarah downloads the pastry school application form and makes a note of the application deadline.
Sarah makes a budget of how much her classes cost per month.
Achievable: Make your goal realistic. Do you have the time and resources to do it?
Sarah has the time and motivation to attend pastry school.
She can get a job to pay for it. She feels becoming a pastry chef is a realistic goal.
Relevant: Is this something meaningful to your life?
Sarah is 100% certain she wants to be a chef.
She has the time and money to apply and pay for it and her family supports her.
Time bound: When will this goal need to be accomplished?
Sarah learns that the pastry school application deadline is three months away.
The school session starts in six months.
She will graduate in 24 months and be a pastry chef!
With S.M.A.R.T goals, Sarah can make a plan and achieve her goal of becoming a pastry chef.
What are some goals you would like to accomplish? ReWA’s Center for Social-Emotional Wellbeing can help support your goal-setting journey!
CONTACT: maryam@rewa.org to learn more.