If there is one essential activity that you must do during the start of the year, it would be goal setting. This is important because it gives you a strong sense of purpose that boosts your confidence, better focus that leads to better decision-making, and deeper motivation to achieve all goals. Whether it be personal or academic goals, it’s always better to train yourself to have a goal and a plan to reach it.

However, it is usually a challenging activity that takes time and much effort to complete. Other students just like you may be overwhelmed by the numerous goals that they can have and the countless number of ways to achieve them.

To make it easier, here is a five-step plan that outlines how you can set and meet goals.

• Write it down.

Actually, seeing the goal written on a sheet of paper makes it more believable. This makes it easier for you to remember and keep track of how near (or far) you are to the goal. If you are still deciding which goals to have, writing it down is a good way to combine identical goals and eliminate repetitive ones. You can also post your goal on a bulletin board in your room so you’ll be reminded of your goal every day.

• Make it specific.

Knowing just what you want to achieve makes it easier for you to identify what steps you need to take to reach them. At times, creating goals that are too general leads you to steps that do not necessarily lead to your expected result. Clearly state goals by using definitive words and accurate figures.

• Consider pros and cons.

Always look at both sides of the coin. It’s always good to consider the gains and consequences of the activity before deciding to achieve it. It is also good to consider your strengths and weaknesses alongside the goals. You must always be aware of what is necessary to reach (and maybe even exceed) the goals.

• Define steps.

To easily identify what steps you need to take to achieve a goal, ask the three Ws: who can help, what I need to do, and when. Starting on the action plan won’t take long since you already know how much time you need to allot and what kind of effort you need to exert. This also gives you fewer reasons for excuses to delay and not to achieve the goals.

• Monitor progress.

Being aware of how you are doing at present gives you an idea of any further improvements that need to be done. Also, it allows you to estimate just how near (or far) you are to the goals. You track your progress daily through a progress sheet, weekly through recording it in a video, or monthly by getting feedback from your parents.