GOAL SETTING

 Goals can be long term or short term. Usually a long-term goal is an end goal – as to what you ultimately want to be. In order to achieve this long-term goal, one may need to set short term goals. Achieving the end objective could be through small steps. Achieving success in the small steps encourages one to proceed further. Goal setting is an art, and if done well will invariably lead to success.

Therefore, goals have to be SMART

S – Goals have to be specific. They have to identify the target and steps toward that have to be set

M – Goals have to be measurable

A – Achievable

R – Realistic / Reasonable

T – Timebound

 

Goals have to realistic and reasonable because this gives the impetus to achieve. The fact that it is within ones means and capabilities will help to keep motivation to achieving the end.

Working against a deadline always helps and one can measure ones progress towards getting the end result.

Realistic goal setting needs to be taught to all children in schools and colleges, because this goal forms an anchor in the life of the child, adolescent, young and the old. Once the small goals are realized, and achieved, further goals can be set. When small goals are set, an occasional failure will not deter the person from changing his course of action and modifying his goals is achieving the end.