1634 Route 30, Cornwall, Vermont • (802) 462-3170 • Fax (802) 462-3180 • www.collegefes.org
G
OAL SETTING PROGRAM
S
TUDENT PACKET
“THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT GOALS IS
HAVING ONE
.”
GEOFFRY F. ABERT
NAME:_____________________________
1634 Route 30, Cornwall, Vermont • (802) 462-3170 • Fax (802) 462-3180 • www.collegefes.org
WHAT IS A GOAL?
A goal is defined in Webster’s dictionary as an “objective…the purpose towards which
an endeavor is directed.”
Students have definitions of their own:
“A goal is something you set for yourself to become better at something.”
“A goal is something you try to achieve by a certain time period.”
“A goal is something you work at until you get it.”
“A goal is a place or idea of what you want to be.”
“A goal is something someone strives to achieve.”
“A goal is a dream that you want to pursue.”
“A goal is a point to work towards.”
“A goal is a personal achievement.”
TYPES OF GOALS:
There are four main types of goals: very long-term goals (also known as dream goals),
long-term goals, mid-term goals, and short-term goals, all with bunch of baby steps in
between!
Very long-term goal (dream goal): A very long-term goal or dream goal is your ultimate
hoped-for achievement. It is what you think of when you close your eyes and imagine
the best job you could ever have or the best person you could ever be. Your dream goal
could be to play in the NBA, to become a teacher, or to graduate college.
Long-term goal: A long-term goal is where you want to be many months or years from
now. These goals are steps toward your dream goal, yet they are significant
accomplishments on their own. Examples of long-term goals include making the varsity
basketball team, getting the lead part in the school play, or graduating from high school.
Mid-term goal: These goals include goals you want to achieve in a few weeks or a
month from now. Mid-term goals can be specific, such as getting a B on a math test,
passing English, or having perfect school attendance.
Short-term goal: Short-term goals help motivate you on a daily or weekly basis. They
should be specific and easy to measure such as getting at least an 85% on Friday’s
science quiz, paying better attention in class, or bringing a pencil to class everyday.
W
HAT’S THE POINT?
Close your eyes and imagine what the world would be like without goals! Imagine what
you
would be like without goals. Why are goals so important?
♣ Goal setting is a great way for you to actively plan for your future.
♣ Goal setting will give you something to aim for in life. Remember that
dreaming and doing go hand in hand.
♣ This is an ideal time for you in setting meaningful goals that will, in turn,
perpetuate a healthy cycle of achievement and success.
1634 Route 30, Cornwall, Vermont • (802) 462-3170 • Fax (802) 462-3180 • www.collegefes.org
According to the GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS, “Record holders are fueled not by
financial gain, but by the satisfaction of setting, achieving, and surpassing their goals.”
How else would Kevin Cole of New Mexico hold the record for the longest spaghetti
strand blown out of his nostril in a single blow at 7.5 inches? Then there is David Kremer
of Wisconsin who holds the record for the most bowling balls (10) stacked vertically
without aid of glue, tape, etc. Did you know that there is a record for the furthest cricket
spit? The greatest distance anyone has ever spat a dead cricket from their mouth is 30 ft.
1.2 in.
HOW CAN WE HELP YOU SET,
ACHIEVE
, AND SURPASS YOUR
GOALS
?
This is what I think:
1. Help you identify your strengths and challenges as a student, person, friend or
peer.
2. Help you identify the things that you value. In other words, you will tell me what
is most important to you and keep those things in mind when you are setting goals
so that you are more motivated to achieve.
3. Help you set educational and personal goals and come up with a plan for reaching
those goals by identifying very SPECIFIC steps and strategies.
4. Help you tap into ways that will help motivate you to achieve the goals you set
by identifying who or what will motivate you and by thinking about the factors
that might prevent you from being motivated to achieve (the obstacles).
1634 Route 30, Cornwall, Vermont • (802) 462-3170 • Fax (802) 462-3180 • www.collegefes.org
What are some of your strengths?
As a
person?________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
As a
student?_______________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
As a
peer/friend?____________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
What are some of your challenges?
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
1634 Route 30, Cornwall, Vermont • (802) 462-3170 • Fax (802) 462-3180 • www.collegefes.org
WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU? WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST?
Review the list of values below. Check off the values that are most important to you. Add any of your
other values to the list in the blank spaces provided at the bottom.
Doing well in school
Making money
Being healthy
Spending time with family
Spending time with friends
Learning new things
Having fun, playing games, having hobbies
Being creative (playing music, doing art, experimenting, etc.)
Spending time at home
Exercising/playing sports
Enjoying entertainment (watching movie, reading books, etc.)
Being happy
Having time to yourself
Talking with others/socializing
Being successful
Working hard
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
Source: The above content is adapted from the online PLS course Stress Reduction and Personal
Renewal. *Copyright 2001 Performance Learning Systems, Inc. and International Learning Center, Inc. All
rights reserved.
1634 Route 30, Cornwall, Vermont • (802) 462-3170 • Fax (802) 462-3180 • www.collegefes.org
START THINKING ABOUT SOME OF THE GOALS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE.
THEY CAN BE RELATED TO SCHOOL, FRIENDS, HOME, SPORTS, OR CAREERS. IT’S YOUR
CHOICE
…REMEMBER: Goals are based on what you believe to be important or what you
value. Write down some goals that are important to you (go back to your values sheet
if you
need ideas).
GOAL FOR TODAY?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
W
HAT STEPS (SPECIFIC STRATEGIES) WILL YOU TAKE TO REACH THAT GOAL TODAY?
1.____________________________________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________________________________________
GOAL FOR THIS WEEK?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
W
HAT STEPS (SPECIFIC STRATEGIES) WILL YOU TAKE TO REACH THAT GOAL THIS WEEK?
1.____________________________________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________________________________________
GOAL FOR THIS YEAR?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
W
HAT STEPS (SPECIFIC STRATEGIES) WILL YOU TAKE TO REACH THAT GOAL YEAR?
1.____________________________________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________________________________________
1634 Route 30, Cornwall, Vermont • (802) 462-3170 • Fax (802) 462-3180 • www.collegefes.org
Who or what will MOTIVATE you to achieve your goals? Who or what is going to help
you, remind you, and help encourage you to reach the goals that you have set?
Write about it
OR draw a picture!
What are some of the obstacles you may face when trying to reach your goals?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
1634 Route 30, Cornwall, Vermont • (802) 462-3170 • Fax (802) 462-3180 • www.collegefes.org
The illustration below is a way for you to evaluate your goals. If you set goals that fit
your personal needs, that are valuable, and that are challenging, you are on the right track
for staying motivated. Think about who or what will help motivate you to reach your
goals and think about what your attitude will be when faced with obstacles. This is your
life; it’s about what YOU make of it. Why not make it something GREAT?
Copyright © 2006 Tara K. Lambert
Did I set
this goal in
the way
that fits me
best?
Does this
goal mean
a lot
to me
?
Am I
challenging
myself with
this goal?
How do I
see myself
reaching
this goal?
How will I
stay
positive?
Who or
what
will help
motivate
me to reach
my goal?
STUDENT
1634 Route 30, Cornwall, Vermont • (802) 462-3170 • Fax (802) 462-3180 • www.collegefes.org
