Goals give you a sense of direction – an idea of where you’re headed.
Hopefully, you’ve talked to a parent, friend, family member or school counselor about your options for high school and beyond. Maybe you’ve even chosen a career or educational pathway. The next question is, “How will you get there from here?” And the answer is to set SMART goals.
Setting SMART Goals
SMART goals challenge you to get things done on time. They also help you track your progress and record your achievements.- Specific
Be specific about what you want to accomplish and when you plan to finish. For example, instead of saying, “My goal is to be a doctor,” try, “I will earn an M.D. degree by my 30th birthday.”
- Measurable
With a smart goal, you can set up milestones along the way to measure your progress. If your goal is simply to get a degree, how will you know when you’ve reached the goal? A degree could mean 2, 4, or even 8 years of study. A SMART goal would be, “I want to earn a bachelor’s degree by age 24.
- Achievable and ambitious
Make sure your goals are reasonable too. If your goal is set too high, you might get discouraged and give up. If your goal isn’t challenging enough, you could miss out on a sense of achievement when you reach the finish line. Decide what stands between you and your goal and what information or help you will need. Allow plenty of time to get information and overcome any challenges.
- Relevant to you
SMART goals are those that are important to you. It is easy to let other people set goals for you based on what they want. But goals set by others can be difficult to reach because your heart isn’t in it.
- Tailored as you go
Your interests change as you grow older. Goals that fit you now may not suit you later. Don’t be afraid to get a little off track or make mistakes. You may want to adjust your goals as your life and interests change.
- Finally
No matter how hard you try to set a SMART goal and stick with it, you might discover that your goal is too easy, too hard or just not right for you. - Do you need to put in more effort?
- Do you need more information? If so, talk to a family member, friend, teacher or counselor for help.
- Was your goal unrealistic?
- Did something beyond your control cause problems for you?
- Did you discover a new interest and need to set new goals?
If that happens, ask yourself a few questions:
And don't forget to take time to evaluate your progress, adjust your goals and celebrate your achievements.