Top performers, world-class athletes, and successful people all set goals.
Michael Phelps (competitive swimmer and most decorated Olympian of all time), Kobe Bryant (NBA star), Malala Yousafzai (youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize), Venus Williams (champion tennis player and four-time Olympic gold medalist), and Elon Musk (CEO of SpaceX and Telsa Motors) all set goals.
That’s because when you set goals, you have a vision to work toward.
“A goal is a dream with a deadline.” –Napoleon Hill
How Goal Setting Helps You Succeed
1. Provides a clear path to success- When you set a goal, it gives you steps to follow so tasks are completed according to importance. This allows more time and energy to be spent on the next step in achieving your goal rather than tackling tasks as they come up.
2. Teaches time management & preparedness- Having a clear plan reduces procrastination. If you know exactly what you want to achieve and know the steps required to achieve it, there is less room for procrastination. Goal setting helps you with organization, planning, and time management skills you will use in the classroom and at home.
3. Increases motivation- If the big picture seems too overwhelming, break bigger goals into short-term goals. This separates long-term goals into smaller, more manageable steps so you don't get discouraged and quit.
4. Measures progress- Setting clear goals makes it easier for you to track your progress. Seeing how far you have come and how much is left to do motivates you to continue working toward and achieving goals.
5. Gives focus & purpose - Setting goals determines a clear pathway to success, allowing you to focus on what needs to get done. This prevents you from becoming overwhelmed, frustrated, or discouraged even when things get challenging.
6. Provides a challenge - When you accomplish a goal, it feels great and empowers you to keep learning and growing.
SMART Goals
Specific – Don’t say “I want to get better grades in school,” say “I will get all Bs and higher on my report card.”
Measurable – Make sure your goal is measurable; in this case, it can be measured by looking at your report card when the next grading period ends.
Attainable – Keep your goals attainable or achievable; don’t say “I will make all straight As on my next report card,” rather say “I will raise all my grades by one letter by my next report card.”
Realistic and Relevant – Goals need to be realistic to achieve and relevant to you and must be something you care about.
Time-limited and Trackable – Put a realistic time frame on your goals; don’t set a goal to raise your grades by next week or next year, set a goal to raise them by your next progress report or the end of the term.
Time to Set YOUR Goals
“THE TROUBLE WITH NOT HAVING A GOAL IS THAT YOU CAN SPEND YOUR LIFE RUNNING UP AND DOWN THE FIELD AND NEVER SCORE.” –BILL COPELAND
You can start developing your goals now with some projects you can do at home.
Create a Vision Board
Make a Family Bucket List
Gather your family together, grab a piece of chart paper and some markers, and start brainstorming. Discuss what you would like to do, experience, and achieve over the next 12 months as a family. Once you're done brainstorming, put this list up somewhere where everyone can see it often. Throughout the year, check off items as you accomplish them.
Send a Letter to Your Future Self
Use this website to send a letter to yourself one year in the future (or customize the timeframe) to help with your goal setting.
“Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No Excuses.” — Kobe Bryant
Explore the K12 Career Education Navigator
The K12 Career Technical Education (CTE) Navigator helps you explore high school courses and career pathways offered across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Browse by industry sector, county, school district, and more to find options that match your interests and career goals and see how these pathways can prepare you for college, certifications, apprenticeships, or the workforce.
Credits:
Created with images by Unknown - "Royalty Free Color Chart Stock Photos | rawpixel" • Gentrit Sylejmani - "untitled image" • Joakim Honkasalo - "Ball & Jersey" • Unknown - "Nobel Prize | Free Stock Photo | The front of a Nobel ..." • Bill Jelen - "A sound-activated remote camera station placed northeast of Launch Complex 39-A captures the launch of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy on April 11, 2019. This view (water tower on the left and crew access tower on the right) is rare, as this is only the second time that SpaceX as opened the north-side camera locations." • Todd Trapani - "Often the rain in life shows us the best reflection of who we truly are." • Benjamin Davies - "Reach out to the world" • sawitreelyaon - "Silhouette people and goal word at sky sunset" • jozsitoeroe - "Kämpfe für deine Ziele." • Unknown - "Startup words illustration | Free stock vector - 457413"