Goal Setting For Self-Management strategies

Who Uses Goal Setting? Businesses –Big and –Small Academics Sports

Positive Effects of Goal Setting Serve as the basis of motivation Attention allocation Amount of energy and work Persistence at a task Goal Setting Motivation Effort Behavior Strategies

Goal Setting Counteracts boredom and apathy Creates interest Provides challenges Provides purpose

Productivity Pyramid Everything begins with values Long term goals are developed from values Long term goals are attained through series of intermediate goals Intermediate goals attained through series of goal- oriented daily tasks Governing Values Long-Range Goals Intermediate Goals Daily Tasks

Why is Goal Setting Important? Goal setting is a planning process Important aspect of self-management Sets positive expectations Puts meaning into lives Helps people achieve their dreams and ambitions

What Kind of Goals Enhance Motivation? Specific goals –More likely to increase motivation –Help to determine the amount of effort Proximal goals –Provide reliable information about one’s abilities –Proximal goal progress is perceived positively –Creates confidence and helps maintain motivation

Setting SMART Goals SMART goals are: –Specific –Measurable –Action-Oriented –Realistic –Timely

Specific Goal Setting Describes what you want to accomplish with as much detail as possible –Vague goals lessen the possibility of attaining them –E.g.s –I want to do well in English –I want an “A” on my next composition.

Measurable Goal Setting Describes goals in terms that can be clearly evaluated –No measurement means that task or goal will never be attained –E.g.s –I want to study my biology text. –I want to study chapter 7 and answer all the questions.

Action-Oriented Goal Setting Identifies a goal that focuses on actions rather than personal qualities –Goal must have an action in order to complete it –E.g.s –I want a better attitude about studying. –I want to complete all assignments before classes.

RealisticGoal Setting Identifies goals that are actually able to be attained –Goals can be challenging but not unrealistic –E.g.s –Tonight I’ll read half of my book and complete the assignments. –Tonight I’ll read two chapters of my book and complete the assignments.

Timely Goal Setting Identifies goals that break a longer term goal into shorter term goals and clearly specifies a completion date e.g.s I want to graduate with honors. I want to make the dean’s list this semester.

Procedures for Writing SMART goals Identify the area that you want to write the goal (academic, personal, etc…) Evaluate past and present achievement to consider the extent to which the goal is realistic and action-oriented State what you want to accomplish –Describe how to measure the goal –Include a specific completion date (timely)

Writing SMART goals (cont.) Evaluate you goal statement is it really a SMART goal If necessary, make modifications to your goal statement

Key Benefits of Goal Planning Goals influence motivation and learning Setting and attaining intermediate/proximal goals can motivate students to attain long-range goals Each goal you set should be SMART

Assignment Establish and Write a SMART Goal and Action Plan Identify a short term goal that you would like to accomplish in three weeks. Develop a plan for how you will obtain your goal in this 3 week time frame. Prepare a 1 page written report on how you can successfully attain this goal.

Points to Remember for the Assignment Write a SMART goal Identify and define your goal carefully Make implementation plans that will help you attain your goal Make sure you have established plans for evaluating your progress