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A Message from a Youth Perspective with current events and topics related to Youth Trends and Mental Health tips
A Message from a Youth Perspective with current events and topics related to Youth Trends and Mental Health tips
Setting Goals for Your Future: Why It Matters and How to Start Today
Setting Goals for Your Future: Why It Matters and How to Start Today
When you think about your future, what do you see? Maybe it’s graduating college, starting a business, owning a home, or simply becoming more confident in who you are. No matter what your vision is, setting goals is the first step to making it real.
When you think about your future, what do you see? Maybe it’s graduating college, starting a business, owning a home, or simply becoming more confident in who you are. No matter what your vision is, setting goals is the first step to making it real.
Why Set Goals?
Why Set Goals?
Goals give you direction. They help you figure out what’s important to you and push you to stay focused, even when life gets tough. Without goals, it’s easy to feel stuck or overwhelmed. With them, you build purpose and motivation, little by little.
Goals give you direction. They help you figure out what’s important to you and push you to stay focused, even when life gets tough. Without goals, it’s easy to feel stuck or overwhelmed. With them, you build purpose and motivation, little by little.
Start with What You Care About
Start with What You Care About
The best goals come from what matters most to you. Ask yourself:
The best goals come from what matters most to you. Ask yourself:
• What do I enjoy?
• What do I enjoy?
• Where do I want to be in 1 year? 5 years?
• Where do I want to be in 1 year? 5 years?
• What problems do I want to solve in my life or community?
• What problems do I want to solve in my life or community?
Your goals don’t have to be huge or perfect, they just need to be real.
Your goals don’t have to be huge or perfect, they just need to be real.
Make It SMART
Make It SMART
A popular method for setting strong goals is using the SMART framework:
A popular method for setting strong goals is using the SMART framework:
• Specific – Be clear about what you want to accomplish.
• Specific – Be clear about what you want to accomplish.
• Measurable – Track your progress with numbers or checklists.
• Measurable – Track your progress with numbers or checklists.
• Achievable – Set goals that are realistic, not overwhelming.
• Achievable – Set goals that are realistic, not overwhelming.
• Relevant – Choose goals that align with your values and dreams.
• Relevant – Choose goals that align with your values and dreams.
• Time-bound – Set a deadline to stay on track.
• Time-bound – Set a deadline to stay on track.
For example, instead of saying “I want to get better at school,” a SMART goal would be: “I want to raise my GPA to 3.5 by the end of the semester by studying an extra hour each night.”
For example, instead of saying “I want to get better at school,” a SMART goal would be: “I want to raise my GPA to 3.5 by the end of the semester by studying an extra hour each night.”
Stay Flexible, Stay Focused
Stay Flexible, Stay Focused
Life can be unpredictable, so don’t be afraid to adjust your goals. What matters is that you keep moving forward. Celebrate small wins, reflect on what’s working, and ask for support when needed.
Life can be unpredictable, so don’t be afraid to adjust your goals. What matters is that you keep moving forward. Celebrate small wins, reflect on what’s working, and ask for support when needed.
Dream Big — And Back It Up
Dream Big — And Back It Up
It’s okay to dream big, just make sure to back it up with a plan. Whether your future includes college, a trade, entrepreneurship, or something else entirely, setting goals now builds the habits and mindset you’ll need later.
It’s okay to dream big, just make sure to back it up with a plan. Whether your future includes college, a trade, entrepreneurship, or something else entirely, setting goals now builds the habits and mindset you’ll need later.
Setting goals isn’t about having everything figured out! it’s about deciding you want more for yourself and taking steps to get there. Start with one goal today, and let it lead you to the future you deserve.
Setting goals isn’t about having everything figured out! it’s about deciding you want more for yourself and taking steps to get there. Start with one goal today, and let it lead you to the future you deserve.
Sources:
Sources:
• Youth.gov. (n.d.). Goal-Setting Skills for Youth. https://youth.gov/youth-topics/positive-youth-development/life-skills/goal-setting
• Youth.gov. (n.d.). Goal-Setting Skills for Youth. https://youth.gov/youth-topics/positive-youth-development/life-skills/goal-setting
Written by Mercury Cole
YHELP! Intern Blogger
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