How to Set Realistic Goals

Every one of us looks towards the future and dreams about achieving specific goals, whether it’s getting the newest pair of sneakers, getting your first part-time job, or earning above a 90% in your science class. But working towards and achieving goals requires a positive attitude, or what is known as a growth mindset—the belief that you can develop your abilities and intelligence with effort, practice, and dedication. Having a growth mindset also means seeing mistakes and failures as opportunities to learn and grow and knowing that with perseverance, hard work, and a positive attitude, you can improve and achieve your goals.

But effective goal-setting is sometimes easier said than done. It may be exciting to imagine yourself as the next MVP of your volleyball, but achieving this goal requires some planning and lots of commitment.

One way to set realistic goals is to make sure that they are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Let’s break down each one of these components:

• Specific. Your goal should be clear and well-defined. Instead of saying “I want to do well in school,” choose a specific goal, like “I want to get an A on my next math test.”

• Measurable. You should be able to track your goal progress and determine if you’ve achieved it. For example, if your goal is to save money for a new bike, you can make it measurable by saying “I want to save $60 by the end of each month for the next 3 months.” You’ll know if you’ve achieved it if you have at least $180 in your bank account!

• Attainable. Your goal should be something that is challenging but also realistic. For instance, if you want to improve the amount of time or distance that you can run, setting a goal to complete a marathon might not be attainable right away. Instead, you could aim to increase your running time by 5 minutes every week. Remember: Breaking down a goal into smaller steps will keep you motivated!

• Relevant. Your goals should be established by you and for you. In other words, they should relate to your own aspirations. If you want to explore becoming a photographer, for instance, then a relevant goal would be to register for an introductory photography course at your local community centre.

• Time-bound. Goals should have timeframes and deadlines so that you can measure your progress. Examples of time-bound goals include: volunteering for at least 10 hours at a local charity or organization by the end of the summer, reading one book per month for a year, and completing all your homework assignments by 9 pm each night.

By creating SMART goals, you are setting yourself up for success. They help you stay focused, keep up your motivation, and track your progress along the way.

Goals can touch different aspects of your life. Additionally, some goals can be short-term, like making sure you clean your room every Sunday, or long-term, like saving enough money to buy a new phone (and pay for the plan too!).

Here are some categories to think about when setting goals:

• Academic. An academic goal is something you set for yourself to progress and achieve in your education, like getting a certain grade or making sure to do one hour of homework each night.

• Personal. A personal goal relates to your personal life or self-improvement. There are many sub-categories, including:

  • Relationship goals (e.g., family, friends, and your social circle)

  • Healthy living goals (e.g., exercise, eating habits, screen time)

  • Hobbies and interests (e.g., learning a foreign language or how to play the guitar)

• Financial. A financial goal is a specific target you set for yourself regarding money management. It could involve, for example, opening your first bank account or making a budget.

• Career. Career goals guide you in your pursuit of the type of career you may want in your future. They can involve such things as learning certain skills, taking specific classes, and choosing an educational path.

Here are some tips and advice on how to achieve your goals.

1. Make sure that your goals are SMART. Alloprof has created a fun and informative TikTok on this topic. Check it out!

2. Be patient but stay dedicated. New habits can often take a few months to become a consistent part of your daily life. This is because your brain requires time to adapt and recognize that this new behaviour is now a regular part of your routine. To help you, try habit-stacking. Habit-stacking is when you add a new habit onto something you already do, making it easier to remember and stick to. For example, if you want to start reading more, you can make it a habit to read a book for 10 minutes right after you brush your teeth before bed, or decide to take a 20 minute walk right after you finish your chore of cleaning up the dinner dishes.

3. Make your goal known. Write it down and read it everyday. You can also tell someone about your goal. This person can provide valuable support in keeping you accountable by offering encouragement, advice, or directing you to someone who may have specific expertise that could also assist you.

4. Be kind to yourself. It may take several tries to achieve your goal. It’s normal to make mistakes or temporarily lose motivation when working towards change. Remember, everyone experiences setbacks at times, so don’t be too hard on yourself.

5. Make goals visual. You can create a vision board by collecting images, quotes, and symbols that represent your goals. Another idea is using a goal tracker, such as a chart with post-its, to monitor your progress. These visual reminders can inspire and motivate you, keeping your goals at the forefront of your mind.

6. Reward yourself. Do something you like to celebrate progress as well as success.

Setting goals can help give you direction, empowering you to grow and achieve. By staying committed and working towards your goals, you can unlock your full potential and feel pretty good about yourself too!