How to Effectively Set Personal Goals
- 1). Create a plan for long-term goals. Long-term goals encompass your largest goals (within the next 10 years or more). For example, perhaps you want to attend nursing school and become a pediatric nurse within the next several years. When evaluating your long-term goals, think about all aspects of your life, including career, education, family and financial goals. Spend some time brainstorming and make a list of your "big picture" goals.
- 2). Evaluate any possible setbacks. For example, negative self-talk can be destructive when trying to achieve personal goals. Make a list of behaviors or attitudes that might cause setbacks. Create small goals for changing these behaviors.
- 3). Write a list of small goals that will help you achieve your "big picture" goals. For example, if you want to attend nursing school, you need to start applying to nursing programs. A short-term goal might include requesting application materials for nursing schools within the next three months. Make a list of all short-term goals required to achieve your long-term aspirations. As you accomplish these goals, cross them off your list.
- 4). Create daily goals. Break your short-term goals into daily goals. For example, after requesting nursing school applications make a daily goal to fill out one application each day. Create a daily "to-do" list that moves you closer to achieving your short- and long-term goals.
- 5). Update goals and track your progress. Life happens. Your goals might change over time. Adjust your long-term, short-term and daily goals to reflect those changes. Track your progress and stay positive.
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