Effective Goal-Setting Strategies

by Megan
(Arkansas)

I find that it's much easier to accomplish my goals if I follow these guidelines:

Write down your goals. Whether you write your goals in a daily planner, your Palm Pilot, or even on a piece of paper taped to your mirror, if you are able to see the goals you've set you're much more likely to reach them. Just like making a list before going to the grocery store, you're less likely to forget what you've set out to do and more likely to reach your goals if you can see them laid out before you.

Share your goals with a friend. If you have someone holding you accountable, especially when setting long-term goals, you're more likely to achieve your goals. Knowing that someone else is in your corner and expects you to do well will inspire you to work harder at reaching your goals.

Set both long-term and short-term goals. When working to achieve something that requires a bit of time, it's easier to stay organized when you have mini-deadlines. For example, if your goal is "getting into college," you might set short-term goals of "narrowing down colleges," "writing entrance essays," and "visiting campuses" to help you keep organized and give you a sense of accomplishment as you're working toward acceptance.