The beginning of a new year always spurs people to consider new beginnings. They reflect on the past year, decide there was something they want to get rid of or change and make some kind of commitment to work towards that change. For a lot of people, that change might include something like eating healthier or exercising more, spending more quality time with a spouse or children or getting out of a financial rut. In many cases, these new year's resolutions do not make it past the first month. People can make all kinds of excuses for it: it was to hard to schedule, the meals became to expensive, there's always something else that has to be bought, fixed or replaced. However, the real reason for failed resolutions is that they are not goals.
As a teacher, goals are imbedded into every lesson in the form of objectives. Many teachers have been taught the SMART formula for writing good lesson objectives. Smart simply stands for
What the SMART formula does is give a frame work to follow when setting objectives. For example, if the lesson is about multiplying two digit integers, the goal using the SMART formula might be Students will be able to answer 10 two digit integer multiplication problems with 90% accuracy in order to demonstrate mastery on the weekly quiz. This goal is specific: two digit multiplication problems. It is measurable: 90% accuracy. It is achievable: 10 problems. It is results-focused: mastery on a quiz. Finally, it is time-bound: 1 week.
SMART goals are not just a great formula for teachers, though. SMART goals can be made for any goal that can be set. For example, one thing I would like to accomplish this year is to actually have a savings account. So, my smart goal for this task is: I will save $50 a paycheck in order to have $1200 in savings by the end of the year. The breakdown is as follows:
S - save $50
M - $1200
A - every paycheck
R - savings
T - 1 year
So, if you made a New Year's resolution, turn into into a goal by following the SMART formula. Then check back later with us and let us know if you stuck with it longer than you thought.
Once you have your goals set, know you need to keep yourself accountable. How are you going to keep track of you goals? How will you know if you are achieving them?
A great way to keep track of goals, ensure that you are meeting them and make adjustments if they are not working is by writing them down. I use a journal, but any planner, notebook specifically used for your goals, ledger if applicable, etc. would work great. If you aren't into writing stuff down by hand, consider becoming good friends with your banking app or downloading a goal tracking app. There are plenty of apps available that help plan and track goals (I plan on doing a post on goal apps in the future). Whether you choose pen and paper or a digital app, writing down and keeping track of your goal is a surefire way of getting your goal done!
Peace, Love and Happiness Always!
