Quote:
Originally Posted by stayfly  ^^^^^
there's some really good stuff here but it is a bit too rigid for my liking. simplify it a bit and give it more flexibility, otherwise the many rigid conditions may be come overwhelming and may give more chances of failure buy setting too many conditions. try using the SMART principle more as just a guideline, i.e. once you've written what your goal is, check it against SMART briefly e.g. is it Specific? yes is is Measurable? yes etc.
here's how I would present your goal;
WHAT?
Write a 4 page essay by Monday
NOTE: I'd probably include the specific topic of the essay in the what as your goal isn't to write "a" essay, it's to write the essay on a particular topic that is due soon
WHY?
• My academic skills will go up and I will feel better having been productive
• I will practice skills that would help me handle larger papers
• I will be on the road to maximizing my academic potential
NOTE: these are good, you might also want to add some feeling to them like;
- it will feel great to get my essay done and out of the way without having to rush it
- if I rush it or hand it in late my essay eill be much poorer, I will feel horrible and will most likely get bad marks
HOW?
1. read the handouts and brainstorm the main ideas and thesis statement
2. write first draft of the essay, read through it and find areas to improve
3. write second draft of essay, read through it and find final areas of improvement
4. have 1 hour break to exercise and/or do something fun
5. write third and final draft of the essay
6. hand in essay on Monday
7. celebrate completing a great essay by taking a classmate out for a milkshake and enjoy each others conversation and company
see how it's more simplified and more flexible? it's much easier to create and much easier to implement this way.
the next step would be, if necessary, to schedule it so you take the appropriate actions when needed. in this case it isn't necessary as the essay is due very soon however if it was an essay due in a month you could maybe schedule something like "start essay" in two weeks from now or something similar (read "Getting Things Done" or "Do It Tomorrow" for more insight into scheduling future actions effectively)
please let me know if this was helpful and if you have any other questions please ask.
you might also want to use the same format and set some more goals as well. try and include some fun goals and some health goals along with personal development, study, wealth goals etc. so you have a good balance of goals and don't focus too much on just one area of your life. |
Fun goals and health goals. I usually only set goals when accomplishing obligations, and I hadn't thought about scheduling fun things to do, or being more flexible. I'm not a very balanced person (I usually go from procrastination to school mode; I mainly focus on these two things.)
Thanks a lot
I'm going to try it and post the results