Setting Goals

Class Location: The Internet.

Description: This course is designed to help you set up goals.

Objective: Set some short and long term goals and make them happen.

You wouldn't take a trip without printing directions or reviewing a map would you? Then why float through your career without pursuing definitive goals?

The first step to planning your goals is self-assessment. This is the process of determining your interests, values and skills. This can be done by asking yourself questions like: Do I work best alone or in groups? Does working in an office appeal to you, or do prefer being outdoors? Does deadline pressure keep you on task or make you freeze? How do you communicate best? If you are having trouble with your self-assessment, a career counselor can help you with a number of skill and interest tests that can help match you up with the best fitting careers.

But let's say you've already made a decision on a career. Now it is time to make the plan to get it done.

You need to write down your short-term and long-term goals. The easiest place to begin is with your educational goals since they will most likely be specific to your career. Be sure to write them down because this is first step toward achieving them.

Short-term goals are ones that can be reached within one year such as: Take the SATs, be admitted to University X, complete 12 course credits or complete an internship related to your goals.

Long-term goals take a year or more like: complete a Bachelor's degree, complete a Master's degree, or gain a job with company X.

Review your goals and make sure they are realistic so you don't set yourself up for failure. Also be sure to tie each goal to the action you need to take in order to accomplish it. Don't throw a goal out if it takes you longer to reach it than you though it would, it is still an accomplishment.

There will be setbacks. There will be barriers trying to hinder you. While you are drawing up your plan you should list any you can think of right now such as financial limitations, family obligations or geographic barriers. Another way to overcome barriers is by staying flexible. Don't be afraid to step back and make adjustments to "the plan."

The best goal setting advice I ever received was from a television news anchor. He said throughout life he has set goals and chased them wholeheartedly, but when he has come to forks in the road he has chosen to change his goals and pursue the next one just as fervently. Each goal was left unattained, but what he accomplished in the process got him to where he is now. That is the point of goal setting.