Goal Setting: Critical Thinking Skills Success Study Guide

Goal-Setting Chart

What Becomes a Goal?

When you are brainstorming, you come up with various possible solutions to a problem. But which one is worth pursuing? Goal setting is about choosing the best solution and creating a plan to make it happen. To do this, you need to clearly define your goal. What is it, exactly, that you wish for an outcome? Since every possible solution is different (by varying degrees) it can lead to different outcomes. Evaluate the ideas you came up with during brainstorming based on the specific criteria you set for your goal.

Example

Tip

Sometimes, despite all your planning, you may fail to reach your goal. Realize that it's just temporary, take it as a learning experience, and redirect your resources toward a new goal.

Roadblock to Setting Goals

An important thing to remember is not to set a goal that's too big or would take too long to accomplish. People often grow tired of their plans before they're completed. When you set a goal, can you picture yourself following the timeline to its conclusion? If not, break down the original goal into smaller, more manageable ones. Here's an example: Lennie sets a goal to ask for a raise in six months, so he made this goalsetting chart.

Goal-Setting Chart

In terms of objectives and timelines, Lennie is giving himself six months to improve his job performance and learn more about the company. But he expects to do everything at the same time for the next 26 weeks, which might be difficult. He would have a better chance of success if he set smaller goals one month at a time. For example, the first month he might concentrate on coming in early and leaving late to improve his image with his boss. Then, the second month, he might just work hard during normal business hours and read about the company at home on weekends. The third month, he could check out news about the company once a week while brainstorming ways to help other employees. By breaking down the large goal, he's more likely to reach it in six months.

Tip

Success is a choice. You have to decide what you want and how you plan to reach your goal. No one else can or should do it for you.

In Short

Setting goals is an important part of problem solving, but always remember to set goals you can reasonably achieve. Use a goal-setting chart to create a map that can show you the way from the problem to the solution. The chart forces you to break down your goal into manageable steps, set a deadline, and spell out exactly what you'll do, and when. That exercise can help to move from where you are—facing a problem—to where you want to be—problem solved!

Skill Building Until Next Time

• Choose a short-term goal for yourself, such as a household repair. Using the list of five qualities of a valuable goal (see page 44), determine how you will get the repair accomplished. Set a deadline, be specific about what exactly you need to do, and write it all down as a visual reminder of what you will accomplish.
• Choose a longer-term goal, something that should take a few weeks or months to achieve. Make a goal-setting chart, breaking down the goal if necessary, and include every step you must take, and when. Follow your map and check off each task as you complete it on the way to achieving your goal.

Exercises for this concept can be found at Goal Setting Practice Exercises.