Effective Goal Setting Summary

Kelly O’Brien states that the key to success is to set goals for oneself. O’Brien identifies that there are two types of goals.
The first type is an outcome goal. This is when one sets a goal based specifically on what they want to outcome to be, such as getting an “A” in Biology. This type of goal does not explain the process through which one will achieve said goal.
The second type is a performance goal. These sorts focus on one’s specific ability and performance levels. This is when a person does not want, necessarily, a certain outcome or end, but they want merely to improve themselves in what ever area the goal is being applied to.
The steps most successful for setting any goal, O’Brien says, are represented in the acronym SMART. This means that the goals one sets for themselves must be specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and time-appropriate.
That means that she suggests making sure that your goal is very specific, so that you cannot bend your idea along the way. It must be measurable, so that, for example, “I want to do better in math” would not make a good goal. How would one go about measuring whether or not they simply do better. Make it something more like “I want to get an A in math or “I want to raise my grade by 8% in math.” She describes that a goal must require action, a person must be doing something to attain their goals. Then, goals should be achievable. Make sure that this goal can be attained in the time allotted. So do not expect to raise your maximum bench weight by fifty pounds in one week. It simple will not happen.
She also highly recommends creating a support group for oneself, or writing down goals and placing them somewhere easily seen. This tends to keep goals in the front of your mind. Not to mention, research has proved that people lose weight and become more dedicated to exercise when they have a group of people who are willing to be there and back them up.
I find this to be a very effective system, and it is one that I, in fact, already use. I think that O’Brien makes good points, and shares smart ideas.
I have already informed those around me to keep on watch and to keep me on task through out my online courses. I have set a goal to never hand in any assignment late in any of these classes. I will be writing down my schedule for the evening every morning so that I know exactly when I will be able to log on and focus on this goal.
I have an outcome goal of getting an A in this class. I plan on doing that by setting miniature performance goals through out the next few weeks.I have, also, already enlisted two of my friends as work-out buddies. We will go jogging and do other various activities together. Also, as he has work-out equipment in his garage, he makes for an even better partner because after we have finished our cardiovascular warm-up, we can return to do our stretches and weight training.