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January is a time when people make resolutions. Unfortunately, research tells us that most give up on those resolutions within 3 weeks of making them! To me, that means that either we are setting goals that are not realistic or achievable, or we are not truly committed to the goal.
So how can we make realistic goals that we become tied to? According to Hannah Wickford, an ehow contributor, there are six steps in making quality goals. I am paraphrasing her points and giving examples for you.
1. Look at the big picture. Compare where you are now and ultimately where you want to be. Then break down that large goal into a few smaller goals. Want to run in a 10K race this summer? If you are not running at all, or very little, 6 miles will seem overwhelming. But running 2 miles, then 3 miles, then 4 miles, etc. is a way to chunk the goal that you can achieve!
2. Consider the resources you will need to achieve your goal. If you don’t have the resources, chances are, you will not successfully strive for the goal. If you want to change the way your classroom looks; developing new interest centers or new materials in each center. If you don’t have the means or permission to do so, your goal is unachievable even if you are committed! Is there another way to gain the resources? Can you use donations? Can you elicit the help from other teachers or parents? If you are determined, you can find another way!
3. Make your goals specific. Rather than saying that you want to improve the quality of your instruction, be specific. What would that look like? As a former special education teacher, we call that passing the MOO. Is your goal measurable, objective and observable? Each one of us would define quality of instruction differently. Perhaps it is asking 3 to 4 open ended questions during each group time, or checking for understanding 2 to 3 times during a read-aloud story. The difference is that anyone hearing your goal can see exactly what it is as well as giving you an easy way to measure whether you have achieved your goal.
4. Research external factors that are beyond your control that may get in the way of your goal. If your goal is to schedule more time for on-going science projects for your students and the teacher you work with has a different idea, no matter how worthy your goal is, you many not be able to accomplish it with his/her support. Going back to the running goal, if you have young children at home and no one to watch them while you do your training, you can see how easily the reasons you can’t run will overtake your motivation to run and the goal will be dropped.
5. Consult a professional or someone else to find out what is really involved to achieve your goal. At times, we are so close to the objective, we do not see or plan for the obstacles that may get in the way. An unbiased person can look at your goal more objectively and help us not only see those obstacles, but perhaps offer solutions to help us overcome them.
6. Review your goals to make sure they pass the SMART test. This is very similar to passing the MOO. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. The main difference is in the “timely”. It is good to set goals, or steps towards your goal, within short periods of time. Just like our children need fairly immediate gratification, we adults benefit from quick successes too. If you select a goal that within two years you will earn an associate degree in early childhood, we benefit (and need) the accomplishment of passing each course in order to maintain our motivation to complete the final goal.
So, I invite you to start your new year with at least one SMART goal. Reflect on what is important to you: your health, your family, your classroom, etc. and make a goal that will positively impact that area. Try to make your goal of something you will do, rather than what you won’t do – that makes your goal appear more realistic as well. Good luck, I KNOW you can do it!
Words of Wisdom!
"A goal properly set is halfway reached." Abraham Lincoln
"I find it fascinating that most people plan their vacation with better care than they do their lives. Perhaps that is because escape is easier than change.” Jim Rohn
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