Goal setting
GOAL SETTING
WHY SET GOALS?
Setting a goal is about planning what you want and how you are going to get it. Goals can be long or short term; you might set yourself a goal of getting a list of things done by the end of the day or a long term goal of getting into uni. Setting goals can be a great way to keep you on track and keep you motivated.
WHEN SETTING A GOAL - MAKE IT REACHABLE
Think about what you want to achieve and how you might go about getting it done. You may wish to talk to someone you trust and get their ideas too. It can be helpful to have someone to talk with to keep you on track and motivate you along the way. It can also be useful to break a bigger goal down into smaller steps. For example, if your goal is to go back to school you might break this down into first finding out what is out there for your age group, what courses they offer, talk to someone about what course is best suited to you, etc. Each smaller goal will help you stay on track and will help you achieve the longer term goal of getting back into school.
KEEPING FOCUSED
Sometimes it can be hard to stay focused, everyday stuff can sometimes get in the way and slow you down. Write down your goals and put them somewhere that you will see them each day to remind yourself what you are working towards. Talking to someone you trust regularly can also help you stay focused. You might want to talk to a friend, someone at school, your counsellor or someone at YHES House.
BE FLEXIBLE
There is never just one way to get to any goal. Think about other ways of achieving your goal and be prepared to try a few things out along the way. Sometimes you have to go around the block to get next door. If things don't work out the way you have planned, look at how you can get there now. It might take a little longer but if it's something you really want it will be worth it. Don't be too hard on yourself if you don't reach your goal straight away. Sometimes the things that are harder to get are the ones we enjoy the most.
REACHING YOUR GOAL
It can be a great feeling when you finally get there and it's important to celebrate your achievements. Some people reward themselves by doing something they enjoy, buying something special for themselves. You may just want to tell friends and family about your achievement. What ever you decide to do remember how far you have traveled and how great it is to be there. Sometimes after reaching a goal you can feel a little flat, you have spent so much time and efforts trying to get there that when you arrive, you find you don't have anything to think about, focus on. The best thing to do is look at what's next. You might decide to take on another challenge or you might decide your next goal is to give yourself a break for a while and just enjoy your achievement.
For more information follow these links:
Reachout.com.au
CareersOnline.com.au
Child & Youth Health
Headroom - The Lounge
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