Personal goal-setting
Set realistic personal goals, create a simple plan to achieve them, monitor their own progress, and adjust their approach when things aren't working
What a learner can do afterwards
- Write or state a specific, achievable personal goal with a timeframe
- Describe the steps they will take to reach the goal
- Review their progress and adjust their plan when something isn't working
1 · Read
You have broken big tasks into smaller steps. A personal goal uses that skill. A specific goal says exactly what you want to do. A timeframe says when you aim to do it. Choose a goal that fits your starting point, time and support. A coach could help you agree on a goal such as swimming 25 meters without stopping by the end of summer.
A plan lists actions and when you will do them. Check the time, materials and help you need. Spread the work at a pace you can manage. If you can finish one book a week, allow a week for each book. For a savings goal, plan to set aside an amount you can afford before other spending.
Maya and her coach agree on 8 laps without stopping by the end of summer. They plan three supervised practice sessions each week, with time for rest. Her coach records the laps she can swim without stopping. The chart shows 6 laps in week 4. They review the record together before choosing any change.
Each bar shows laps without stopping. Maya's target is 8 laps.
To review progress, record what you did and when. Read the latest result and compare it with the target. For a number goal, subtract the latest result from the target to find the gap. Maya's target is 8 laps. Her latest result is 6. The gap is 8 minus 6, or 2 more laps without stopping.
The hop shows the gap between Maya's latest result and her target.
If a plan is not working, identify the obstacle. Change a step that addresses it, then review again. You may also change the target or timeframe if it no longer fits your time, support or health. If exercise leaves you sore or very tired, stop and tell a trusted adult before continuing. Include rest and support in the plan.
Choose a specific goal that fits you, add a timeframe, and plan your steps. Review progress and change the steps, target or timeframe when needed.
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More to read
Check the target before you begin
A clear target tells you what you are aiming for. A timeframe tells you when you hope to reach it. You also need to check whether the goal fits your situation.
Suppose you want to finish a library book by next Friday. Look at how much reading is left and when you have time to read. If the book needs more time than you have, you could choose a later date or a shorter book.
Before starting, ask what help or materials you need. After trying the plan, check again. You can use what you learn to revise the goal.
Include the help you need
A goal plan can include asking for help. You do not have to arrange every part on your own.
Suppose you want to learn a tune on a keyboard. You can choose a time to practise, but you also need access to a keyboard. Someone may need to help you borrow one or show you the notes.
Write down the actions you can take and the support each action needs. Check that the support will be available. If it is not, discuss another plan or a later date. A missing resource is a problem to plan around, not proof that you did not try hard enough.
Find time for each step
After listing your goal steps, look at your week. Mark the time already needed for school, meals, sleep and other activities. Leave room for rest and play.
For a model-making goal, your steps might be sorting pieces, building the base and adding details. Choose an available time for each job. Check that your supplies will be ready.
A step may take longer than you expected. When that happens, look at the jobs left and the time available. You could move a session, ask for help or change the finish date. A schedule helps you plan; it cannot predict every change in your week.
Choose a change that fits the problem
Keep a short record as you work toward a goal. Write the date and what you completed. For a drawing goal, you could list the drawings you finished.
At your check-in, compare the record with your target. If a step is not happening, ask what gets in the way. A practice time that overlaps a club meeting needs a different time. Adding more work to that same slot would leave the clash unchanged.
Choose a change that addresses the obstacle, then check how it goes. You may revise the steps, target or timeframe. For physical activities, include rest. If you become sore or very tired, stop and tell a trusted adult before continuing.
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2 · Watch
به انگلیسیTake it off screen
Where it sits
Learn first
Optional connections
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.