1. Grade 12 Family Studies

2.  What would happen if you ran a race without knowing where the finish line was located? You might run in the wrong direction. Or you might never finish the race.

3.  A goal is like a finish line. It's something you work toward. If you don't have a goal, you may not know where you're going or your actions may take you in the wrong direction.  A goal is something you decide to do. If you set goals for yourself, then you'll know where you're going and you'll work hard to get there. Having goals sets you on the path to make your dreams happen.

4. There are four steps to setting a goal:  Identify your goal.  Make a plan to reach your goal.  Put your plan in motion.  Decide if your plan is working.

5.  But what if you have a big or long-term goal, like getting into college?  Break it down. Big goals are often made up of smaller, short-term goals. Accomplishing the smaller goal brings you a step closer to accomplishing the bigger goal. For example:

6.  Small Goal 1: Take classes that prepare you for college.  Talk with your school counselor.  Learn more about recommended high school courses.recommended high school courses  Get help when needed.  Challenge yourself.

7.  Small Goal 2: Save money for college and learn about financial aid options.  Talk with your family about saving for college.saving for college

8.  Small Goal 3: Do your homework and go to class.  Talk with a friend to compare notes and share study tips.  Don't procrastinate. Learn more about time management skills.  Schedule study time, just like you schedule time to spend with friends.  Connect with your teacher about the topics you are learning.

9.  Small Goal 4: Get involved in activities at school or in the community.  Ask a teacher or counselor about your school's various groups, clubs or teams.  Identify a group that you are interested.  Learn about the group's participation requirements.  Make a commitment and join the group.

10.  Small Goal 5: Finish high school.  Talk with a teacher, counselor and/or an adult if you are struggling with your school work. Each goal--no matter how big or small--builds on your previous goals and accomplishments

11.  And there is no one way to achieve your goals. Sometimes you can remove a smaller goal, and still accomplish your bigger goal.

12.  Sometimes you need to rethink your plan to reach your goals. Sometimes you even need to re-evaluate the goal itself to understand why it is a goal. Don't be afraid to modify your plans or your goals. As you work toward your dream, circumstances change. Interests change. People change. Always try to work in some flexibility to deal with such change.

13.  It's also okay if it takes longer than you thought it would to achieve your goals. The key is to keep working toward your goals even when it takes longer or you encounter possible barriers along the way.

14.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1kWR1R Pxbk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1kWR1R Pxbk

15. The Bucket List – Jack Nicholson & Morgan Freeman

16.  Witness something truly majestic  Help a complete stranger for the good  Laugh till I cry  Drive a Shelby MustangShelby Mustang  Kiss the most beautiful girl in the world  Get a tattoo  Skydiving

17.  Visit StonehengeStonehenge  Spend a week at the LouvreLouvre  See RomeRome  Dinner at La Chevre d'Or  See the PyramidsPyramids  Get back in touch

18.  Visit the Taj MahalTaj Mahal  Hong Kong Hong Kong  Victoria Falls Victoria Falls  Go on a safari  Drive a motorcycle on the Great Wall of ChinaGreat Wall of China  Sit on the Great Egyptian Pyramids  Find the Joy in your life

19.  Today I want you to set a total of 15 goals for yourself.

20.  1. Identify or Define the goal.* *Not every wish can be a goal. For instance, you may wish you could live and stay young forever, but since there's nothing you can do to make that happen, it could never be considered a goal.

21.  2. Outline the steps needed to achieve it / Make a plan to achieve your goal / Break it down into smaller pieces

22.  3. Consider possible blocks and ways of dealing with them.

23.  4. Set deadlines.  I have give you the deadlines. ◦ 5 goals for this year ◦ 5 goals for the next 5 years ◦ 5 goals for the next 10 years

24.  It has to be important to you, personally.  It has to be within your power to make it happen through your own actions.  It has to be something you have a reasonable chance of achieving.  It must be clearly defined and have a specific plan of action.

25.  Complete the sheet I have given you. Identify each goal on the line I have given and in the space provided below ◦ Outline the steps needed to achieve it / Make a plan to achieve your goal / Break it down into smaller pieces ◦ Consider possible blocks and ways of dealing with them.

26.  Make a copy of all the goals you have listed. Hand one copy in to me and keep one for yourself. As you complete the goals on your list, cross them off.  This can be very therapeutic.