Goal setting is important. When students focus on goals, they are usually a wide range.

“I want to make $X amount of money.”

“I want to become the captain of the sports team.”

“I want to make better grades.”

Keep in mind that saying goals is not enough in order to achieve goals. Yes, having a positive mindset is important. However, in order to hit the goals, students have to take that broad thinking and break it down.

1. What was your goal last year?
2. Did you achieve it?
3. Why didn’t you achieve it?
4. Have the solved the problems of why you didn’t achieve it?
5. Do you have alternative ways to achieve it for this year?
6. If you did achieve it, how did you do it?
7. Will it work to do it again this year, the way you did it last year?
8. If not, what can be done to achieve it?
9. By what date will I achieve the goal?

These are great questions for students to ask before they solidify a plan to grow. Students cannot just say, “I want to make all A’s.” In order to make all A’s, they need to know what they need to do in order to achieve the goal. An example is study more, don’t procrastinate, and pay more attention in class.

Students may be thinking in their head that it is simple, but it is an action that is skipped by so many. When students are putting goals down to achieve them, have them break them down as much as possible. What are all of the actions needed before they can achieve the goal? Write it down. Place the goal at the top and branch out downward with the work needed to make it happen.

It is not only simple, but an efficient way to conquer any goal successfully. Know the goal, break it down, and actually start executing; a simple guide to success. Now let’s start breaking it down!