In life, the importance of setting and achieving goals cannot be understated. However, goal setting is a skill that must be practiced and, let's be honest, it can be challenging for many teenagers. However, we are not alone. A recent study suggested that ninety-two percent of people don't achieve their goals. If you're among this majority who have trouble setting and achieving goals, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
1. Make It Specific
If you want to achieve your goal, make sure it is focused. While you may have an aspiration — for example, becoming more confident — setting a more concrete goal related to this aspiration, such as reaching out to three new people each month, is a far more effective strategy. Setting specific goals will help you easily track your progress and ultimately be successful.
2. Make It Reasonable
Of course, we all have lofty dreams about the change we will make in the world. But that change can't happen overnight. If you wish to accomplish your goals, be sure to make them reasonable. If your objectives are unachievable, you may end up getting discouraged and abandoning them altogether. Making incremental progress toward your goals is better than giving up!
3. Make It Yours
Whether it's our parents, teachers, or friends, we all have people in our lives who we want to please. However, if you wish to achieve your goals, be sure to set objectives that you want to accomplish. If you are only trying to achieve a goal so that someone else will be pleased, you may not have a strong enough incentive to make your aim a reality.
4. Make It Memorable
While it doesn't need to be at the forefront of your mind at all times, be sure to make your goal something you will care about and remember. The only way you can progress toward success is by thinking about your objective and making active steps toward it. If it is so insignificant that you will forget you set it in the first place, you may want to choose another goal.
With these tips in mind, you should be well on your way to setting and achieving your goals. However, if you still find yourself struggling, there are several resources on the internet, such as the SMART spreadsheet or STRIDES, that can help you make sure that your objectives fit the criteria above and help you reach them.
