r By Julie Hall for My Story Matters.rThe next lesson for the year is the Power of Goals. In this lesson, students discover and describe the power to set and reach goals and dream towards their future.
I know it may seem odd to talk about goals in June. When our thoughts turn to vacations and relaxing in the sun. However, June is a great time to check in with ourselves and see if we are on track with our goals.
I have done some research about goals and best practices to achieve the goals we set for ourselves. Some give you general ideas and others list step by step instructions. I decided to share some ideas I ran across in the research that I may have not included in my goal-making process and thought maybe some of you might benefit from these ideas.
Telling someone about the goal. For me, this is a step that I have always felt should come, after, I have accomplished the goal. This may because of my fear of failure an judgment. But if I change my perspective just a little, telling someone gives others the opportunity to help motivate and support me. I am no longer alone is achieving my goal and there is a greater likelihood that I will accomplish what I set out to do.
Plan the first step. I have often overlooked this step jumping in with both feet. Only to find that I don’t have a clear path and then I spend so much backtracking and I end up giving up before I really even begin. If the first step is planned and then executed, we have already accomplished a small part of our goal and we can move to the next part with confidence. Each step will be easier than the last and we will whittle away at the goal quickly.
Celebrate. A step that is often overlooked. You have done something great, acknowledge it. Let yourself celebrate not only that you have accomplished the goal but also the journey to its completion.
So during June take the time to make sure you are on track with your goals for the year. If you need to make tweaks, change the plan or even alter the goal itself, do it! Give yourself every opportunity to achieve what you set out to do.
The Power to set and achieve goals can help each of us to build the future we want for ourselves and the future we want for the world.
