PLANNING FOR SUCCESS—TURNING DREAMS INTO REALITY
DIRECTIONS: IN YOUR JOURNAL, ANSWER EACH OF THESE QUESTIONS AS YOU PLAN HOW TO REACH YOUR GOALS. RESEARCH THE ANSWERS TO ANY QUESTIONS YOU CANNOT READILY ANSWER.
- WHAT IS MY GOAL? (This is your dream becoming reality.)
- IS MY GOAL REACHABLE? (If not, how can I make it reachable?)
- WHAT IS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL? (Be specific here. This should include education, special training, work experience, unions, etc.)
- WHEN DO I WANT TO ACCOMPLISH MY GOAL? (This is a reality check—remember, plan to succeed. Do be specific, though, and give yourself a time instead of just saying “some day.”)
- WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES TO ACHIEVING MY GOAL? (People can be obstacles, too. Remember, this is your goal, no one else’s.)
- WHERE AM I NOW? (Think in terms of attitudes, skills, aptitudes, and tools you currently possess that will help you get what you want and where you want to be. Identify your strengths so they can work for you.)
- WHAT DO I NEED TO DO OR ACQUIRE TO REACH MY GOAL? (This is where the work comes in. What skills, tools, education, etc., do you need to get what you want and be where you want to be? Don’t be afraid of hard work.)
- WHAT ARE THE INTERMEDIATE STEPS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE MY GOAL? (This is the meat of what will be in your overall plan to reach the dream. Take baby steps; there are several “mini goals” to achieve that will lead up to your ultimate goal or dream.)
D-E-S-I-R-E FORMULA AS A GOAL SETTING GUIDELINE
Determine what you want. Be exact, and express the goal positively. Say what
you want to be or do rather than what you don’t want.
Evaluate what you’ll give in return. How much work will you do to turn your
plan into action?
Set a date for your goal. Be realistic, allowing enough time without postponing it
too long.
Identify a step-by-step plan. Devise immediate, small steps to get started.
Repeat your plan in writing.
Each and every day, read your plan aloud, morning and evening, as you picture yourself already having achieved your goal.