At a recent conference where I presented a goal setting workshop, I surveyed the audience for their goals. A young man, Lucas, raised his hand and said, “Yeah! My goal is to be rich!”
When I asked him how he was going to get rich he replied, “I don’t know. I just want to be rich!” Unless Lucas gets a more specific, he doesn’t have a goal.
There are so many ways that one can become rich. He could own a lucrative business, become a surgeon, inherit a chunk of money, or even win the lottery. In all these cases, being rich is an outcome from a goal rather than an actual goal.
If you’re a student, and your goal is “to do better in school” you’ll need to be a bit more specific since that can have so many meanings. There can be several reasons why you are not doing well. Do you have a certain class that needs attention? Are you having trouble focusing? Have you given it your best effort? Is it a social or discipline problem that should be the object of your goal?
Here are a few goals that might specifically state the situation:
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“My goal is to study at least two hours every day!”
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“My goal is to receive an A in Economics.”
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“My goal is to get along with my lab partner.”
Do you have any favorite goal-setting lessons, quotes, games, or activities that you use to teach goal-setting? Maybe you know a great tip to help eager goal-setters reach theirgoals faster? Leave your comments below!
I look forward to a great goal-setting discussion!
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Russ Peak is recognized as one of the nation’s leading authorities on youth leadership and motivation. Every on of Russ Peak’s programs is an incredible combination of award-winning entertainment skillfully blended with a powerful and motivational message that leaves the audience recharged, ready, and eager to take on their challenges.
His most popular messages focus on character, leadership, goal setting, bullying, and drug awareness .