The Benefits of Setting Goals

Before our AIM process begins, we look at the student's existing goals. Setting goals is one of the most significant parts of reaching success and enabling positive accomplishments. It is like scaling a 20 foot building and marking early on what distance you would like to reach and at which specific time.

People who set goals literally create a map of their target achievements in life, marking where they should begin, where to pause, where to accelerate, and where and when to stop. Once this map is created, it allows the map drawer to check where they are in the scheme of things and whether or not they are making the achievements that will bring them closer to their goals.

By setting goals, students will know how they are doing and what they should be doing differently to achieve their targets or dreams in academics and in life. They will know if they can relax or if they have to double their efforts when they are falling short of what is expected of them.

Goal setting means a person is proactive in addressing the challenges that may affect their plans. Being proactive means one is able to outline possible difficulties that may occur as well as the solutions to these difficulties. By taking control, a person is not easily scared or defeated when challenges occur because they have already prepared for them. They know that setbacks can happen and have anticipated a solution or strategy for when that time comes.

Setting goals will enable the student to track their progress in whatever endeavour they have set out to accomplish. It will help them become more confident in themselves and more motivated to achieve their plans.

However, goal setting is not enough, as this should be accompanied by a positive outlook and self-discipline. A person may have a blueprint of where they want to go, but if they do not have the necessary discipline, resources and support to carry out the plan, then it is possible that nothing may come out of the plan.

To be successful in goal setting, the goals that students set for themselves should be realistic and based on their actual and anticipated capabilities, as well as selected and important external factors. Being too ambitious in setting up goals can make the goals unrealistic and difficult to achieve. At the same time, setting goals that are too low might discourage one's vision instead of enhancing it.

It is also necessary that the person setting the blueprint for their direction should also include a time frame within which the specific goals will be achieved. This way, they will be able to determine if they have to fast track their strategies or to slow down a bit. Goal setting will also help a person check if they are performing within their plans and if they are taking steps towards the achievement of the plans.

Once you have achieved something, even if it is a small piece of what you hoped to achieve, you should always celebrate the success. Give yourself a "pat on the back", a reward, to keep you motivated. However, do not be too complacent with any little achievement, as this may prevent you from keeping the forward momentum. Find the balance that's right for you.