MODULE 1: 1.04: GOALS

The reasons we all need goals are... 1. Help you aim 2. Avoid distractions 3. Control your future.

Goals are important. Not having goals is like wearing a blindfold through life. (Pelé example) Why do goals matter? They give you something to aim for to make sure you aren't wasting your talents.

Once you set a goal you can see where you are aiming. Now imagine a path leading you straight to your goal. Everything on the path can help you reach your goal - hard work, good decisions, and never giving up. Anything not on the path is a distraction. (Internet example) Why do goals matter? Goals can help you overcome distractions.

Why do goals matter? If you do not have your own goals for the various areas of health, you run the risk of being controlled by everyone else. (Advertisement example)

Many people don't set goals because they are afraid they will fail. But failure can actually be a good thing. In fact, if you fully commit to any goal, failure will sometimes be an inevitable part of the process. Have you ever had those thoughts where you question your abilities to be successful? You are not alone; many people share these same fears. But remember this: If you are setting goals and working hard to achieve them, then you will continuously expand what you are capable of achieving. You will continuously grow as a human being. That is why setting goals and trying your best to achieve them matters.

Measurable, Attainable, and Deadline-driven.

When you set a goal, you should be able to measure whether or not you accomplish it. For example, Jason wants to get good grades. But how will he measure his goal? "Good grades" could mean he wants to make the honor roll by earning mostly A's. Or it could mean raising his GPA by half a point by earning a combination of A's, B's, and C's.

Your goals need to be attainable. In other words, they should be realistic. Alicia's goal to make the Olympics is lofty; she will definitely need more than one season of training to make the Olympic track team. It is much more likely for Alicia to make her high school's track team. If your goals are not attainable, you are likely to get frustrated and discouraged trying to reach them.

When you set a goal, you should have a deadline in mind. Having a set deadline will keep you focused and working toward achieving your goal. Remember, "I'll eat healthy someday" is easy to say, but difficult to achieve. After all, "someday" isn't on any calendars.

Physical, Emotional, Social, Academic

Physical goals involve areas of physical health and fitness. These goals may include the amount of time you will be active each week, the types or variety of activities you will participate in, and your target heart rate. Physical health is more than just exercise; these goals can also include other areas of physical health, including nutrition plans and scheduling a dental cleaning or an appointment with your doctor. I will go to bed by 10:30 pm every weeknight for at least one month. I will walk non-stop for at least 30 minutes five days a week over the next three weeks.

Emotional goals revolve around your emotional health and well-being. This may include setting goals for finding healthy ways to handle stress, journaling, or other habits to help deal with difficult situations, or seeking out a mentor with whom you can turn to for advice. I will journal every evening for the next two weeks as a way to reduce stress and anxiety. I will meet with a peer counselor at school once a week this semester to work on strategies to reduce stress about the college admissions process.

Social goals are focused on your social interactions with others - good and bad. This can include setting goals regarding healthy relationships, joining a club or team, dealing with conflict, working alongside peers and superiors in a workplace, or any other specific goals regarding your social interactions. I will speak encouraging words to at least two people each day this week. I will join a club at school before this week ends and I will attend all meetings this semester.

Academic goals involve your effort and success with school. This can mean setting specific goals about your grades, but it can also involve things like getting to school on time, working on college applications, your attitude with teachers and classmates, or anything else that applies to your personal struggles and achievements in school. I will work with a study partner once a week for at least a month to help improve my geometry grade. I will tutor younger kids at the local library every other Saturday this semester to improve my college resume.

Working toward and attaining goals gives you a sense of accomplishment. Imagine the pride you will feel a few months from now when you are doing something you never thought possible. Since there is a link between happiness and health, reaching your goals can actually improve your mood and your emotional health. Giving thought to the amount of time needed when goal setting is important. Long-term goals stretch across months and, in some cases, years. Short-term goals, things that can be accomplished over a few days or weeks, can lead to completing a bigger goal. Often, multiple short-term goals can serve as a sequence of successful steps along the way. Take some time to think about how you feel toward your progress on your physical, emotional, social, and academic goals so far. Are you happy with where you are in a given category? If so, your goal will probably be designed to keep you moving and growing in the right direction. Are there any areas where you are unhappy with your current status? If that's the case, those goals will be very important to help you move in a direction to improve your health and happiness.