Setting Goals

Setting goals can be a difficult concept to grasp, but I have learned a lot about setting goals while clearing trees from a property this summer. I learned that I have two styles of goal setting when attempting to complete the minor steps that support a larger goal: Task and Time.

Task

We had several big trees that needed to have large branches removed. We knew it would take quite a bit of time to remove them all safely, but we could not estimate how much time it would take us. There were too many factors: Could we reach them safely? Would the branches drop where we wanted them to? Would the saw blade break? We also knew that the number of branches on the tree we focused on were limited. There were a finite number of branches, and we knew we could accomplish all the branches in one day. So, we set a Task Goal for ourselves: Remove all the undesirable branches from one tree.

Students and teachers can also benefit from setting a Task Goal. In writing an essay, it may help some students to focus on the task of writing just one paragraph at a time. For a long math homework assignment, some students may prefer to complete a predetermined number of problems then stretch their legs for five minutes. A long reading assignment can be broken down into reading chapters or to a natural break in the writing.

A Task Goal is a good way to approach jobs that have a quantifiable nature.

Time

We also had innumerable small pine trees that we wanted to remove. They were crowding out the property and no grass could grow in the area. There seemed to be an infinite number of these small trees, and we knew we could not complete the task in one day. So, we set a Time Goal for ourselves: Remove trees for three hours.

Students and teachers can also benefit from setting a Time Goal. Brainstorming for essay topics is a great activity that should have a predetermined amount of time for the student to adhere to. Designing the visuals for a presentation can be broken down into chunks of time. Studying vocabulary terms should be done in sets of time dedicated to the task.

A Time Goal is a good way to approach jobs that have an abstract or unmeasurable nature.

Take a look at your goals for today. Decide for yourself if the task is quantifiable and should be organized with a Task Goal, or if the task is more abstract and should be organized by setting a Time Goal. Set up your goals and adhere to the rules. Be awesome today!