How to Effectively Set Personal Goals
Creating personal goals gets you one step closer to achieving personal success. However, it's important to develop goals that are specific, measurable, challanging and realistic, according to Middle Tennessee State University. Evaluating possible setbacks and breaking goals into small pieces can help make achieving goals more manageable.
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Instructions
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Create a plan for long-term goals. Long-term goals encompass your largest goals (within the next 10 years or more). For example, perhaps you want to attend nursing school and become a pediatric nurse within the next several years. When evaluating your long-term goals, think about all aspects of your life, including career, education, family and financial goals. Spend some time brainstorming and make a list of your "big picture" goals.
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Evaluate any possible setbacks. For example, negative self-talk can be destructive when trying to achieve personal goals. Make a list of behaviors or attitudes that might cause setbacks. Create small goals for changing these behaviors.
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Write a list of small goals that will help you achieve your "big picture" goals. For example, if you want to attend nursing school, you need to start applying to nursing programs. A short-term goal might include requesting application materials for nursing schools within the next three months. Make a list of all short-term goals required to achieve your long-term aspirations. As you accomplish these goals, cross them off your list.
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Create daily goals. Break your short-term goals into daily goals. For example, after requesting nursing school applications make a daily goal to fill out one application each day. Create a daily "to-do" list that moves you closer to achieving your short- and long-term goals.
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Update goals and track your progress. Life happens. Your goals might change over time. Adjust your long-term, short-term and daily goals to reflect those changes. Track your progress and stay positive.
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Tips & Warnings
When creating goals, get specific. Include the date the goal should be accomplished and prioritize your goals.
Stay away from creating negative goals. For example, don't set a goal to avoid silly mistakes. Goals should include a positive statement and avoid negativity.
