Exercise 3-F: Personal Goal Setting
A.
B.
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D.
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F.
In the space below, brainstorm your goals in the following categories. Write down as many as wish, including goals
that are short, mid, and long-term.
1. Academic, intellectual ........................................................................................................................................
2. Health, fitness ....................................................................................................................................................
3. Social: family, friends, significant other, community ...........................................................................................
4. Career, job .........................................................................................................................................................
5. Financial ............................................................................................................................................................
6. Other .................................................................................................................................................................
Of the goals you have listed, select from each of the six categories the two most important goals that you would like
to pursue in the short term (next 6–12 month). Write this below:
1. . ........................................................................................................................................................................
2. . ........................................................................................................................................................................
3. . ........................................................................................................................................................................
4. . ........................................................................................................................................................................
5. . ........................................................................................................................................................................
6. . ........................................................................................................................................................................
7. . ........................................................................................................................................................................
8. . ........................................................................................................................................................................
9. . ........................................................................................................................................................................
10. . ........................................................................................................................................................................
11. . ........................................................................................................................................................................
12. . ........................................................................................................................................................................
From the twelve goals listed above, choose the three that are the most important to you at this time, the three you
commit to work on in the next few months. Write a goal statement for each one, using the following guidelines:
 Begin each with the word “To……”
 Be specific.
 Quantify the goal if possible.
 Each statement should be realistic, attainable, and within your control.
 Each statement should reflect your aspiration.
1. . ........................................................................................................................................................................
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2. . ........................................................................................................................................................................
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3. . ........................................................................................................................................................................
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On a separate sheet of paper, develop an action plan for each goal statement. For each action plan:
 List the steps you will take to accomplish the goal.
 Include dates (by when) and initial (who’s responsible) for each step.
 Visualize completing the goal and, working backwards, specify each step necessary be tween now and then to
reach the goal.
 Identify any potential barrier you might experience in attaining the goal. Problem solves around these obstacles
and converts them into steps in your action plan.
 Identify the resources you will need to accomplish these goals and build in steps to acquire the necessary
information into your action plan.
Transfer the dates of each step for each goal in your action plan to a daily calendar.
Keep an ongoing daily or weekly record of the positive steps you take toward meeti ng each goal.