A Formula for thinking about short and long-term goalsLong-term goals can be reached by a SMART system of goal-setting:

Formula

Specific:

Practical steps you can take to meet your larger goal

Measurable:

Benchmarks or “markers” the lead to your long-term goal

Action-Oriented:

Activities that can help you achieve your “measurables”

Realistic:

It’s okay to dream, but it is also important to keep those dreams attainable

Timely:

Something you can look to in the not-so- distant future

Let’s Look at an example:

Let’s say your “destination” is to be a professional track athlete

Your long-term goal for the year, then, would be to participate in a prominent track meet, and achieve a certain time in your favorite event.

The SMART approach could look something like:Specific:

Join your school’s track team

Measurable:You will try and improve your time in a certain event (the 100m for example)

Action-Oriented:You will run and train 3 times a week after school

Realistic:Instead of trying to succeed at a number of events, you choose to focus on specific events like sprinting

Timely:You can set certain benchmarks throughout the year - smaller more regional track meets for example - where you can improve your times and ability