1. Goal Setting: The Key to Managing Your Life Pat Scheib
Academic Support Services
Pennsylvania College of Technology

2. Where will you be 5 years from now?
Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I’ll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I’ll give you a stock clerk.
--J.C.Penney
Where will you be 5 years from now?

3. Your plan for where you want to be 5 years from now is a “long-term goal”:
Take 2 minutes:
Grab a pen and paper and complete the following sentence:
“Five years from now, I will be “

4. Characteristics of Attainable Goals
Specific
Written
Measurable
Action-Oriented
Realistic
Time-bound
Own it

5. Achieving a long-term goal is like building a pyramid:
Medium-range goals
Short-term goals
Long-Term
Goal
5 years from now
1-2 years from now
Medium-range Goals
Daily/weekly habits & assignments
Short-Term Goals
What will you do this week to build this foundation of short-term goals?

6. What other short-term goals could you add to this list?
Build your foundation with effective, short-term goals for a successful semester:
What other short-term goals could you add to this list?

7. Set several mid-range goals you want to achieve in a year or so:
Once you meet your short-term goals, your mid-range goals will follow much more easily.

8. Keep reminding yourself of the long-term goal you are working for.
As the semester or the year ends, you will replace short-term and mid-range goals with new ones.

9. Each goal you reach, builds towards the next . . .
First House
2 bedroom, mountain-side, home theater system,
Bachelor’s
Degree
w/ 3.55 GPA
Dream
Job
$40,000
Financial
Independence
New Mustang (Midnight Blue)

10. A few hints to help you stay on track with your goals:
Remind yourself of your goals – allow yourself to dream about them.
Change your short-term goals if they are not working for you.
Recognize obstacles and avoid or eliminate them.
Be realistic, but aim higher than you think you can achieve – you will usually surprise yourself.

11. Obstacles and Roadblocks:
Take 2 minutes to write down 3 possible obstacles that might get in the way of achieving your goal.
How much control do you have over these issues?
What can you do to eliminate or avoid these obstacles?

12. Powerful short-term goals to practice weekly:
Get up at the same time every morning
Establish a regular schedule for yourself
Use a to-do list or appointment calendar to keep track of assignments and appointments
Spend at least hours a week on schoolwork outside of class
Study in small bits of time (not study marathons)
Get most of your studying done before 6:00 p.m.
Find a study partner and form study groups
Stop in the Prof’s office during office hours
Take a study skills class
Keep up with reading assignments
Meet with the instructor after the first exam to learn from your mistakes.