What does it mean to “ begin with the end in mind ” ? We have to know where we are going so we can get there!

Why do we set goals? Gives us direction An end to work towards Something to be proud of Something to be committed to

Reasons why people do not set goals… 1. Predictability – many people feel threatened by change. 2. Conditioning – habit. 3. Belief in miracles – many people sit back and wait for miracles to happen. 4. Fear of losing – many people do not set goals because they are afraid they will be criticized for not reaching them. 5. Fear of winning – can you handle the new behavior of success? 6. Over Expectations – setting your goals too high enables you to say “I know I can’t reach that goal, so I won’t even try.”

Goal defined… An event, circumstance, object, or condition a person strives to attain.

When do we set goals? Before sports seasons Before a project For a school year, semester or nine weeks

How do we set goals? As group or teams Personal thought Writing them down

Nine Goal Areas to Work On… Spiritual - What are your goals for peace of mind, search for meaning and spiritual fulfillment? Personal - What are your goals for enhancing your relationships (with parents, friends, teachers, others)? Learning/Education - What would you like to know more about? What skills do you want to develop? Status and Respect - To which groups/organizations/associations or affiliations do you want to belong? From whom do you want respect?

Nine Goal Areas to Work On…Cont’d Leisure/Hobbies - What activities (hobbies, sports, travels) would you like to learn more about (or to do more of)? Fitness/Health/Well Being - What are your goals for your physical fitness and overall health? Financial - What are your goals for having enough money to do the things you want to do? Job/Career - kind of job would you like? What are your goals for productive work and career success? Community Service/Serving Others - What are your plans to do “good works” within your neighborhood and community, and to help others?

Secrets of Successful Goal Setting Write down your goals. Set priorities among your goals. Decide which ones are more important than others. Focus on one goal and one activity at a time. Use your goals to guide decisions about what you will do with your time and energy. Choose activities that achieve your objectives.

Secrets of Successful Goal Setting cont’d Decide what you want to do, possess, share, and become Set both short term and long term goals Realize that some of your short term goals will probably be aimed at directly increasing your ability to achieve your long term goals List goals in each area of your life: Social, financial, cultural, educational, professional, physical, spiritual, intellectual, family, hobby

Goals should be SMART! S pecific – individuals sometimes have trouble achieving goals because they are vague or imprecise. M easurable – a way to check progress. A greed upon – Group goals need to be the result of the group process. (when not in groups this can also be ATTAINABLE) R ealistic – Because failure is so discouraging, it is important that goals can actually be achieved. T imely – some sort of time frame.

Types of Goals Short term – daily, weekly or monthly objectives that you set to help you eventually accomplish your long term goals Intermediate – this school year, 6 months to 2 years type goals… Long Term – ultimate visions that you want to accomplish.

How is a group goal different from an individual goal? Should be created by all the members Should be understandable and acceptable to all the members Should be beneficial to all the members.

Setting Goals in Groups 2. Set priorities among the goals. Discuss the goals in relation to the group’s needs – consider your strengths and weaknesses Rank the goals in order of importance Achieve consensus on a few important and specific goals that the group can commit to, rather than a “laundry list” of goals that may or may not get done. 2. Set priorities among the goals. Discuss the goals in relation to the group’s needs – consider your strengths and weaknesses Rank the goals in order of importance Achieve consensus on a few important and specific goals that the group can commit to, rather than a “laundry list” of goals that may or may not get done. 1. Brainstorm for possible goals. Keep in mind the purpose of the group Discuss what the group should accomplish Everyone should participate All ideas should be recorded, no matter how unrealistic. 1. Brainstorm for possible goals. Keep in mind the purpose of the group Discuss what the group should accomplish Everyone should participate All ideas should be recorded, no matter how unrealistic. 3. Select activities/projects to help you achieve your goals. Some goals may be accomplished in one project, while others require ongoing efforts. Determine when activities should happen, and plan your year-long calendar. 3. Select activities/projects to help you achieve your goals. Some goals may be accomplished in one project, while others require ongoing efforts. Determine when activities should happen, and plan your year-long calendar. 4. Develop Action Plans. Identify specific steps to achieving the goals, projects or activities Place the steps in chronological order Delegate responsibilities Set timelines 4. Develop Action Plans. Identify specific steps to achieving the goals, projects or activities Place the steps in chronological order Delegate responsibilities Set timelines

FRAME Method Fantasy – Dream your wildest dreams. Fantasy is the desire to challenge the status quo. What do you want to accomplish? Reality – Look at the facts involved with your dream/goal. Ask yourself how hard are you willing to work? What will I sacrifice? What risks will I accept? Be honest with yourself – and consider all the facts. Aim – Clarify the needs and purposes that are the basis of your goals. Strike a balance between F and R stages. Be specific. Ask yourself: Is it specific? Is my goal attainable? How will I know when it is accomplished? Set the goal high but realistic. Method – Plan your attack by generating the possibilities and narrowing the alternatives. Break down larger goals into smaller steps. Play on your strengths – set a plan for achievement and follow it! Always keep the goal in mind. Evaluate – Process the results. This is not a last step… evaluation should be continuous. What did I do well? What should I improve? What did I learn? How can I apply this to future endeavors? What did I accomplish? Be sure to emphasize the positive. Process the results. This is not a last step… evaluation should be continuous. What did I do well? What should I improve? What did I learn? How can I apply this to future endeavors? What did I accomplish? Be sure to emphasize the positive.

Review Benefits of Goal Setting: 1. Improves your self-image (or self-image of the group). 2. Makes you aware of your strengths, which can be used to overcome obstacles and provide solutions to problems. 3. Makes you aware of your weaknesses so you can begin to improve them and make them into your strengths. 4. Gives you a sense of past victories and provides stimulus for present success. (motivation and morale) 5. Helps you visualize. Plan actions to achieve the goals you sent and then carry them out. 6. Makes us feel committed. 7. Forces you to set priorities. Priorities establish direction to your pursuits. 8. Helps individuals and groups measure progress and see where you/it has to go. 9. Makes you responsible for your own life. Makes your group responsible for its own success or failure. 10. Serves criterion to sharpen decision making.