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How to Handle Write a Goal Step by Step
When write a goal leaves you confused, worried, or unsure what it means, a clear step-by-step approach can help you sort the signal from the stress. This guide explains how to understand the situation, reflect on what matters, choose a practical next step, and know when to ask for trusted support.
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Part
1
Defining Your Goals
1
Define what you want.
If you have a general idea of what you want or would like to achieve, it can be tempting to simply start working towards it. But, if you don't have clearly defined goals, you might find yourself working or drifting towards a vague goal or a goal that has changed. Defining a goal can prevent wasted time or energy. It may actually motivate you to accomplish goals.
- If you have a general idea of what you want or would like to achieve, it can be tempting to simply start working towards it.
- But, if you don't have clearly defined goals, you might find yourself working or drifting towards a vague goal or a goal that has changed.
- Defining a goal can prevent wasted time or energy.
- It may actually motivate you to accomplish goals.
- If you have a general idea of what you want or would like to achieve, it can be tempting to simply start working towards it.
2
Be specific when defining terms.
This is vital to understanding what you really are trying to achieve. Define any general or vague terms. Fischhoff, B., Slovic, P., & Lichtenstein, S. (1988). Knowing what you want: Measuring labile values. Decision Making: Descriptive, Normative and Prescriptive Interactions, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 398-421. (Chapter 18) For example, if you stated that you want to be successful, you must define what success means to you. While it may mean making lots of money to some people, others may consider it to mean raising healthy, confident children.
- This is vital to understanding what you really are trying to achieve.
- Define any general or vague terms.
- Fischhoff, B., Slovic, P., & Lichtenstein, S.
- Knowing what you want: Measuring labile values.
- Decision Making: Descriptive, Normative and Prescriptive Interactions, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 398-421.
3
Think about whether you really want these things.
It's normal to think you want something without really questioning why you want it. But, sometimes you may decide that those goals don't actually match the dreams and desires in your life. A good example of this stems from social perceptions and ideas. Many children might say they want to be doctors or firefighters when they grow up, not really understanding what it means or discovering later that those goals have changed. Brunstein, J. C. (1993). Personal goals and subjective well-being: A longitudinal study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 65, 1061–1070. Perrone, K. M., Civiletto, C. L., Webb, L. K., & Fitch, J. C. (2004). Perceived barriers to and supports of the attainment of career and family goals among academically talented individuals. International Journal of Stress Management, 11, 114–131.
- It's normal to think you want something without really questioning why you want it.
- But, sometimes you may decide that those goals don't actually match the dreams and desires in your life.
- A good example of this stems from social perceptions and ideas.
- Many children might say they want to be doctors or firefighters when they grow up, not really understanding what it means or discovering later that those goals have changed.
- Brunstein, J.
4
Consider your motives.
Are you trying to achieve or do something to prove someone wrong? While the "right" reasons are different for everyone, you need to ask yourself if your goals are right for you. If not, you might find yourself feeling unfulfilled or burnt out. Schunk, D. H. (1990). Goal setting and self-efficacy during self-regulated learning. Educational Psychologist, 25, 71– 86.
- Are you trying to achieve or do something to prove someone wrong?
- While the "right" reasons are different for everyone, you need to ask yourself if your goals are right for you.
- If not, you might find yourself feeling unfulfilled or burnt out.
- Goal setting and self-efficacy during self-regulated learning.
- Educational Psychologist, 25, 71– 86.
5
Set realistic goals.
It's easy to become carried away when thinking about goals. But, there are some things that may be outside your control. Depending on what kinds of goals you set, this may become a problem. Your goals should be realistic and attainable.
- It's easy to become carried away when thinking about goals.
- But, there are some things that may be outside your control.
- Depending on what kinds of goals you set, this may become a problem.
- Your goals should be realistic and attainable.
- It's easy to become carried away when thinking about goals.
Part
2
Writing Your Goals
1
Imagine your possibilities.
Spend 15 minutes informally jotting down your visions, goals, and dreams. Don't worry about writing clearly defined goals or putting things in order. Just make sure these goals and dreams are consistent with your identity and values. If you're getting stuck, try free-writing exercises. You could describe: Marisano, Hirsh, Perterson, Pihl, and Shore (2010) from Peterson and Mar, 2004.
- Spend 15 minutes informally jotting down your visions, goals, and dreams.
- Don't worry about writing clearly defined goals or putting things in order.
- Just make sure these goals and dreams are consistent with your identity and values.
- If you're getting stuck, try free-writing exercises.
- You could describe: Marisano, Hirsh, Perterson, Pihl, and Shore (2010) from Peterson and Mar, 2004.
2
Break your goals into specific steps.
Once you've found future dreams and ideals, choose a few specific goals to help you reach them. Try to be specific when describing these goals. If your goal is large or long term, break it up into smaller goals or steps. Think of these steps or goals as a strategy to achieving those future dreams and ideals. Austin, J. T., & Vancouver, J. B. (1996). Goal constructs in psychology: Structure, process, and content. Psychological Bulletin, 120, 338 –375. Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2006). New directions in goal-setting theory. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15, 265–268.
- Once you've found future dreams and ideals, choose a few specific goals to help you reach them.
- Try to be specific when describing these goals.
- If your goal is large or long term, break it up into smaller goals or steps.
- Think of these steps or goals as a strategy to achieving those future dreams and ideals.
- T., & Vancouver, J.
3
Rank your goals according to impact.
Look at your goals and decide which ones are the most important or desirable. Think at each goal in terms of how achievable it is, how long it will take, and what impact working towards and achieving it would make in your life. You should also ask yourself why you value a certain goal over another. Make sure goals on your list aren't in conflict with each other. Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psychological Review, 84, 191–215. Schunk, D. H. (1991). Self-efficacy and academic motivation. Educational Psychologist, 26, 207–231.
- Look at your goals and decide which ones are the most important or desirable.
- Think at each goal in terms of how achievable it is, how long it will take, and what impact working towards and achieving it would make in your life.
- You should also ask yourself why you value a certain goal over another.
- Make sure goals on your list aren't in conflict with each other.
- Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change.
4
Set benchmarks and deadlines.
Track your progress by setting smaller benchmarks and deadlines for your goals and steps. Reaching these will give you a sense of accomplishment, increase your motivation, and give you feedback about what's working and what's not.
- Track your progress by setting smaller benchmarks and deadlines for your goals and steps.
- Reaching these will give you a sense of accomplishment, increase your motivation, and give you feedback about what's working and what's not.
- Track your progress by setting smaller benchmarks and deadlines for your goals and steps.
- Reaching these will give you a sense of accomplishment, increase your motivation, and give you feedback about what's working and what's not.
- Track your progress by setting smaller benchmarks and deadlines for your goals and steps.
5
Try the S.M.A.R.T.
model for setting goals. Look at each of your goals and write down how the goal is specific (S), measurable (M), attainable (A), relevant or realistic (R), and time-bound, having deadlines (T). For example, here's how you could take a vague goal, like "I want to be a healthier person,” and make it more specific using S.M.A.R.T:
- model for setting goals.
- Look at each of your goals and write down how the goal is specific (S), measurable (M), attainable (A), relevant or realistic (R), and time-bound, having deadlines (T).
- For example, here's how you could take a vague goal, like "I want to be a healthier person,” and make it more specific using S.M.A.R.T:
- model for setting goals.
- Look at each of your goals and write down how the goal is specific (S), measurable (M), attainable (A), relevant or realistic (R), and time-bound, having deadlines (T).
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