UNIT 7

GOALS & PLANNING

Professor Judy Kelly

AGENDA

• The Nature of Goal Setting

• Networking

• Assignment Information

• The Case Study

• Questions

PART I

The Nature of Goal Setting

Everything can be taken from man

but one thing:

the last of the human freedoms

– to choose one’s attitude

in any given set of circumstances,

to choose one’s own way.

MAN’S SEARCH FOR MEANING

-Viktor Frankl-

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career.

Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game

winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over

again in life. And, that is why I succeed.”

-Michael Jordan

“The difference between the impossible and thepossible lies in a person’s determination.”

-Tommy Lasorda

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

- Theodore Roosevelt

“I can not believe that the purpose of life is to be

‘happy.’ I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be

responsible, to be honorable, to be compassionate. It

is, above all, to matter; to count, to stand for something,

to have made a difference that you lived at all.”

- Leo C. Rosten

“If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll

probably end up somewhere else.”

- David Campbell, PH.D

Types of Goals

• Outcome vs.

Performance

• Short-term vs. Long

term

• Individual vs. Team

Setting goals can help you …

• Achieve more

• Improve your performance

• Increase your motivation to succeed

• Increase you pride and satisfaction in

your achievements

• Improve your self-confidence

Goals and Dreams….

• What are your dreams for the

future?

• What are your academic &

professional dreams?

• Which of those dreams do you

want to make a

reality? Think about it!

• Goals are simply dreams we have

the courage

and conviction to write down and

pursue.

Where do you want to be next year … in 2 years … in 5 years…in 10

years?

Think about the answer.

Write down your main academic and professional goals now.

Share this with the class.

Why set goals?

• Focus• Motivation• Benchmarks• Rewards• Accountability• Which one of these reasons is

most important to you (and why)?

Goal Setting• Anyone who does anything worthwhile anywhere has

consciously or unknowingly followed through on a goal.

• Goals keep us focused on a purpose.

• They help us through difficult times when many others less motivated would give up.

• A person who wants to get the most out of life often has a number of goals simmering at the same time, in their personal and business lives.

Goals should be...

Realistico Winning a marathon after two weeks of

training is an unrealistic goal. Use what you’ve accomplished in the past to set a reasonable goal for the future.

Goals should be...

Self-choseno You are much more likely to achieve a goal

that you set for yourself than one that has been set for you

Goals should be...

Forward thinking….

o You can’t change your past but you can

plan changes for your future.

o It is important to assess the past to learn

from it but not to dwell on it.

o Put energy into planning your future!

Goals should be...

Moderately difficult…..– A goal that is too hard or too easy will decrease

your motivation and won’t show you what you’re really capable of accomplishing. Use what you’ve accomplished in the past as a guide.

– Do not set goals too low. You should set goals so that they are slightly out of your immediate grasp, but not so far that there is no hope of achieving them. No-one will put serious effort into achieving a goal that they believe is unrealistic.

Goals should be...

Specifico Getting an “A” in all subjects is much more

specific than just saying that you would like to get “good” grades this semester.

o At this time, please write a specific personal, academic, or professional goal. Share it with the class.

Goals should be...

Measurableo You’re more likely to keep up if you can

see progress toward your goal. For example, getting an “A” on your midterm is measurable progress toward getting an “A” in the class.

Goals should be...

• Positive State each goal as a positive statement:

express your goals positively - 'Execute this technique well' is a much better goal than 'don't make a mistake.’

Goals should be...

Flexibleo If it looks like you can’t reach your original

goal, be flexible and redraw your plan

Goals should be...

Associated with a deadline– When do you plan on accomplishing this

goal, in a month, day, or year?– Be precise: set a precise goal, putting in

dates, times and amounts so that you can measure achievement. If you do this, you will know exactly when you have achieved the goal, and can take complete satisfaction from having achieved it.

Goals should be...

• Written down– It will serve as a better reminder to keep

you motivated– Write goals down: this crystallizes them and gives

them more force.

Goals should be...

Manageableo Keep operational goals small: keep the low-

level goals you are working towards small and achievable. If a goal is too large, then it can seem that you are not making progress towards it. Keeping goals small and incremental gives more opportunities for reward. Derive today's goals from larger ones.

Goals should be...

• Prioritized• Set priorities: where you have several goals,

give each a priority. This helps you to avoid feeling overwhelmed by too many goals, and helps to direct your attention to the most important ones.

Goals should be...

Shared with others….o Who can you rely on to check on you and

encourage you?

o Select someone who won’t give up on you and dares to intervene.

o Tell supporters what you’re trying to do, what they shouldn’t do, and how they can help you.

Where goal setting can go wrong

When goal setting is disorganized

When goals are unrealistic

Goals that are ‘beyond’ your control

When goals are vague

At this time, please visualize a goal and then write a specific and vague version of it. Share it with the class.

Where goal setting can go wrong

Negative self-talk

o largely subconscious

o lightening fast

o barely on the edge of awareness

o often deceptive

Where goal setting can go wrong

Become aware of self-talk messages that:o keep you from achieving your goals.

(“There is not enough time.”)o precede a bad habit. (“One more piece.”)

o Create new and positive self-talk that directs & encourages you to reach your goals.

Steps to Success

• Specific vs. vague• Challenging but not unrealistic• Measurable• Performance vs. outcome• Set targets and completion dates• Set short-term & long-term goals

Steps to Success

• Create an action plan• Identify your circle of support• Focus on what you can control• Take risks• Let go of mistakes• Manage your emotions

TOOLS for SUCCESS

S -Specific M -Measurable A -Action oriented R -RealisticT -Time-bound

Specific

• What do you really want to accomplish? Your goal needs to be specific enough to be able to determine what actions are required to achieve the desired result.

Measurable

• How will you know you have reached your goal – what marker or milestone will identify success? Remember that performance goals will provide better control than outcome goals, so it is best to measure the steps along the route to your destination.

Action Oriented

• What exactly will you do (what verbs can you use?!) to reach your goal? You will need to take a pro-active stance. Some sources say “A” stands for “Aggressive,” or working with purpose and diligence towards your goal.

Realistic

• A goal must be achievable. Have you researched it enough to know that it is possible? Do you know someone else who has accomplished this goal? Goals set too high may be discouraging, but setting the bar too low will not provide motivation.

Time-bound

• Each goal must have some sort of deadline. Some flexibility may be necessary, but deadlines help keep us motivated and focused towards completing our goals.

TOOLS for SUCCESS

With every goal you should follow the 6 P’s:

• Prioritize: You may have several goals. Prioritize them on your list.

• Positive: Use positive language. "I will …", "I’ll be…", "I’ll have…"

• Precise: Be precise. "I will have supper with my family three nights a week" rather than "I will be home earlier"

• Performance: Measure your performance. Set time for starting and completing your goal. "May 1 – I will be home at 5:30 three nights this week"

• Practical: Make your goals practical. Do you have the control to make this work or do you rely on other people to meet your goal?

• Personal: Is this goal a personal goal or someone else’s desire for you?

TOOLS for SUCCESS

The Seven-Day Anti-Procrastination Plan

• Monday – Make it Meaningful

• Tuesday – Take it Apart

• Wednesday – Write an Intention Statement

• Thursday – Tell Everyone

• Friday – Find a Reward

• Saturday – Settle it Now

• Sunday – Say No!

Summary

• Goals with certain characteristics will enable you to be more successful in goal setting and achievement.

• Breaking down large goals into parts will help you to see what steps you will need to complete on the way to accomplishing your goal

PART II

Networking

Networking

• Networking is another stepping stone to taking control of your goals for your future. During this unit, you will take a Web Fieldtrip to learn more about building a personal network.

What Is a Network?

• Wikipedia defines a "social network" as "a social structure made of nodes which are generally individuals or organizations.  It indicates the ways in which they are connected through various familiarities ranging from casual acquaintances to close familial bonds."

• In simple terms, a network consists of people with whom we have a "connection."

How to Work a Network?

Working a network consists of two things:

(1) expanding the network and

(2) strengthening the network.

Expanding a Network

• A network is important because it allows us to "expand our reach."  Accordingly, the bigger the network, the better since it means that we have "the potential" of obtaining more access to things, including information.

• We all start with a small, yet intricate, network: our family.  From there, our network expands to include our friends, co-workers, and acquaintances.  Each person in our network has their own network, which makes the whole theory so powerful, yet vulnerable at the same time, as the strength of the network weakens as it expands.

Strengthening a Network

• A network is only good as its strength.  A good network will help you access information not available to other job seekers and obtain referrals from key people.  That's the most effective way to access the "hidden job market." 

How to build a strong network:

• By being genuine.

• By anticipating, meaning that you should not wait until you're out of a job to start...

• By being an active member of the network, meaning that you should try to help other members of your network also (give and take).

• By maintaining your network, meaning that you should keep in touch.

Part III

Assignment Information:

Informational Interview

The Informational Interview

Basic function of informational interview is research and study.

o The purpose of an informational interview is not to apply for a particular position. It is not a hiring interview.

o The purpose of an informational interview is not to ask for a job.o It is critical to maintain your research focus during the informational

interview process.o Typically, the person you interview is an individual doing the work

that interests you or an “expert” in your career interests – not a hiring manager.

o If an interviewee raises job possibilities to you, that’s fine –

– follow that opening, but don’t take the first step in that direction.

The Informational Interview

o Identify individuals to interview – use your existing network or current job research as a starting point.

o Contact the individual, explain your background and request a 30 to 45 minute informational interview.

o If the answer is no, thank the contact and ask if he or she would recommend someone else for an informational interview. Always try to expand your network.

o If the answer is yes, schedule the appointment – schedule the appointment for a specific amount of time and stick to that time allotment

The Informational Interview

1. How did you get your start in this career?

2. How did you prepare for entry into this field?

3. What is a typical workday like?

4. How many days/hours per week do you typically work?

5. What are some typical entry-level positions to get

started in this occupation?

6. What are the qualifications you would look for in a

recent graduate looking to get into this field?

The Informational Interview

7. What are the most challenging aspects of your work?

8. What rewards do you get from your work?

9. Knowing what you know now, if you could start over

again, what would you do differently to reach this

occupation?

10. Do you recommend any professional associations or

journals I should keep up with?

The Informational Interview

11. What do you enjoy most about your field in general and your

current job in particular?

12. What do you enjoy least about your field in general and

your current job in particular?

13. What are some obstacles I should be prepared to face when

getting started?

14. Do you have any other suggestions for someone interested

in this field?

Assignment Information

• The interview is part of the final project and is due no later than the last day of Unit 9, along with the Unit 9 component – Career Action Plan.

• Select the person you want to interview; they should hold a degree.

• Make contact to set up your date and time.

• In person interviews are most valuable. Do everything possible to make it a person to person!

• Be sure to choose a candidate who holds a position you are interested in achieving.

• Attend this interview as if it is a job interview for you! You may be surprised.

PART IV

THE CASE STUDY: LARA

Lara

• Lara is a stay-at-home, married mother of two

small children. The past few years have been

financially difficult for the family, so Lara has

decided to go back to school to get a good paying

job and help support her family. She would like a

career that allows her to stay at home with her

children as much as possible. Her goals right now

are to get in and out of college quickly and start

earning money as soon as possible.

Lara

• Lara is into arts and crafts and has always been

interested in starting her own business to sell

them. Although she has no prior experience or

knowledge about owning a business, she

frequents craft shops and fairs and has some

knowledge of what other people sell. She has

decided to go back to school to become an

entrepreneur.

Lara

• Question 1: Did Lara identify both her long-term and her short-term goals, and did she plan appropriate steps to achieve them?

• Question 2: How would you help Lara craft a set of goals in terms of becoming an entrepreneur that fit with the S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and timed) approach?  

• • Question 3: How would talking to a shop owner or

other entrepreneur help Lara formulate her own goals?

Questions

Nist, Sherrie L. and Jodi Patrick Holschuh, Active Learning: Strategies for College Success. Needham Heights: Allyn & Bacon, 2000.

Pauk, Walter, How to Study in College. 7th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001.

Ellis, Dave, Becoming a Master Student. 8th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1998.