Goals

What is a Goal?  Desired results  Something to work toward  “What do you want on your tombstone?”

What is a priority?  Something that is more important than anything else.  Goals determine priorities  Example:  Goal: Get into college  Priority: Good grades, extracurricular activities  Destination: Goal as Route: Priority

Little know facts:  The top 3% of students in the USA have written goals  A goal not written is only a wish

Keep in mind when making goals:  Be specific  Example: I will get an “A” in English 9 by the end of first quarter.  Rather than: I need to do better this year.

 GOALS should be written  You will see them daily and remind yourself of your promise

 State goals positively. What will you do?  Compare: I won’t be late for class To Contrast: I will be on time for each of my classes this week

 Have a time frame  Bad Example: Someday, I’d like to own a Corvette.  Good Example: By the time I’m 30 years old, I want to own a new Corvette

 Keep score  Check in with PowerSchool weekly  Ask your friends for help in keeping you focused

 Let your goals be your own, perhaps set during a momentous moment.

 Count the cost  What will you have to give up in order to achieve your goal?  Example: I want good grades, but I love to IM at night and don’t make time to study.  Example: I want to make the basketball team, but I have to work every Saturday when they practice.

 Rope Up  Get someone to help you stay on course.  Make a plan with a friend who has a similar goal.

 Begin with the end in mind  Focus on what you would like to be or the outcome of your goal  Example: Since I want to go to college, I will need to get at least a B in Algebra.

How can you achieve your goals?  Big Rocks=Priorities  Homework, school activities, sports teams, family obligations  Little Rocks=Fun activities  IM’ing, texting, watching TV, listening to your iPod  Hanging out with friends

If you do your “big rocks” first, your “little rocks” will fit!  Schedule your big rocks, then schedule the fun activities.  Bottom line: You can live a balanced life with this method.