WHY ARE GOALS IMPORTANT?

Meaningful goals can give direction to your life, highlight your most important values, and give a sense of purpose. This activity is designed to get you thinking about your short term and long-term goals in different areas of your life.

Sometimes, holding ourselves accountable and setting expectations generates fear and anxiety because it means there is potential for failure and disappointment.

But remember, failure is an event, not a person.

And it’s okay to have failed. Actually, it’s necessary…it provides us the opportunity to grow.

So, let’s formulate some goals!

General Tips for writing goals

When thinking about 5-year goals, ask yourself how you would like your life to look in 5 years.

Then, think of your 1-year, 1-month, and 1-week goals as steppingstones to that 5-year goal.

You’ll start more general with the 5-year goals. But as you write more short-term goals, they will become more specific and structured (the next tip explains what this means).

When writing weekly or monthly goals, be sure to write goals that are measurable. For example, instead of “eat healthier” make a goal of “eat a vegetable with every meal.” Instead of “get fit” make a goal of “exercising 3 days per week.”

Choose goals that are within your control. For example, “get a promotion at work” requires others to act. However, “take an additional online course to improve my professional skills” is in your control.

When planning each of your goals, it is important to also consider any foreseeable obstacles and potential strategies for overcoming them

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