Goal Setting - Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City

Goal-setting is powerful because it provides focus. The process of setting goals helps you plan steps that will help you reach the outcome you want.

A well-set goal has five essential characteristics: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-related (SMART).

SMART Goals The research shows that specific and challenging goals lead to better performance (Locke, 1968).

	Your goal should be as specific as possible and answer the questions: What is your goal? Where will it take place?
	How will you measure your goal? Measurement will give you specific feedback and hold you accountable.
	Goals should push you, but they must be achievable. Are your goals attainable?
	Are your goal and time frame realistic for the goal you have established?
	Do you have a time frame listed in your SMART goal? It helps you be accountable and helps in motivation.

Watch this YouTube video further explaining SMART Goals:

<h3>Short-term and long-term goals</h3> There are two main types of goals; short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals have a short time frame for accomplishment. Goals include things we are working on today, tomorrow and next week. They are usually goals that you can accomplish within a year. An example of a short-term goal &ndash; maintain a 3.0 GPA for the semester. A long-term goal is a goal that is further in the future. Long-term goals represent what you want to accomplish in one, two or several years, and long-term goals are considered the primary targets for your life. Example of a long-term goal &ndash; complete my degree in fine arts in four years. Tip &ndash; To make sure that your short-term goals are leading to your long-term goals, it&rsquo;s a good idea to work from your long-term goals to generate your short-term goals. Make sure that you are doing daily, weekly, and monthly things that reflect the big picture of your long-term goals. <h3>Undecided career goals - finding your career path is easier than you think</h3> create callout box Take GUID 109: 1 credit Career Exploration Seminar Find Your Career Path with the guidance of an <a href="/counseling/meet-counselors.aspx">MCC counselor</a>. <a href="/enroll/">Enroll today </a>in a 16 or 8-week session. <h3>Course description</h3> Exploration of factors affecting career choice. Identification and discussion of individual values, interests and abilities related to occupations. Overview of the world of work related to career and academic planning. Expansion of career development knowledge, skills and use of resources. You can also choose to schedule individual sessions with an MCC counselor for career exploration, personal and educational support counseling. Why put it off? If you take classes without a career goal, you are less likely to graduate and find a living-wage job. Make the most of the courses you take each semester by having a career plan. <h3>Overcoming obstacles</h3> Achieving your goals can be rewarding, but sometimes you may face obstacles to reaching your goals. An obstacle is any barrier that hinders you from achieving your goals. There are two main types of obstacles &ndash; internal and external. Internal obstacles are barriers within ourselves or the goal itself &ndash; such as a goal that lacks the SMART elements. An external obstacle is a barrier or a situation that another person puts in your path. When you set your goals, considering internal and/or external obstacles will help you develop a plan to overcome them when and if they arise. Put what you have just learned into action using this<a href="/counseling/docs/SMARTGoalWorksheet.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> goal-setting worksheet (PDF)</a>. If you need help achieving your goals, please get in touch with a counselor on your campus. We are happy to help!