Goal setting is critical. You must be able to answer the question, “Where am I going - now, next week, and next month?”
One way to begin setting goals is thinking about them as short-term, mid-term, and long-term.
Each of these goals have different results but often times are dependent upon one another. If my goal is to write a paper before Easter (long-term), I need to recognize that the initial outline needs to be drafted by next weekend (short-term) and I should be done drafting ideas before the middle of next month (mid-term).
These three steps will help you not only set goals, but help you achieve them:
Step 1: Define your goal -- I will write my paper.
Step 2: Set a timeline -- I will write my paper by Easter.
Step 3: Action Steps -- I will write my paper by Easter by beginning research tomorrow, completing initial outline by end of next week, and be one hundred percent complete by April 5, 2015.
Now, let's talk about YOU!
What are your short-, mid-, and long-term education goals? It is best to plan them in three-week or monthly increments.
When will you achieve them? Give yourself enough time to achieve them but not so much time you feel comfortable with taking a day off.
What must you do today to start the process? Start right now!
Take 5 minutes and ponder these questions. When you are ready, write them down, in this order, and begin the process.