The following was prepared by the good folks at moneyinstructor.com as a way to help young people learn how to set realistic goals. I include it here to remind us of what it takes to achieve our goals. The terminology will be helpful to know and the process is important to understand. Especially when working on achieving the goal of getting a college degree, the process is crucial to your success!

Planning and Organizing

Planning and organizing skills are useful through out life, both personally and at work. Whenever we have a major objective, we need to plan the steps that have to be taken to achieve it and organize the resources, actions and time required to accomplish each step.

In planning to achieve an objective we must first identify it and do research to find out what steps to take along the way and what resources will be needed. Each step is a goal in its own right. Meeting a series of small goals helps show clear progress towards the objective and enables us to break down a complex end result in to manageable chunks. The successful attainment of each new goal thus helps to maintain the momentum towards the end.

It is important to set precise goals with dates, times and amounts so that achievement can be measured. Next establish the priorities to direct your attention to the most important ones. Take care to set goals over which you have as much control as possible to reduce the risk of not achieving them. As you formulate each goal ask yourself:

•          have I got the skills to achieve this?

•          have I got all the information and knowledge do I need?

•          what help or collaboration do I need?

•          what resources do I need?

•          what might block progress?

•          am I making any false assumptions?

•          is there a better way of doing things?

Bear in mind that plans should be flexible to take account of changing circumstances along the way. As you achieve each goal, revise the plan in the light of what each step has taught you.

When you are ready to work on each goal will need your organizational skills. Organizing involves having systems that helpyou get tasks done efficiently. You will need to organize your:

·    resources or materials

·    space

·    time

·    activities

·    your team.

For resources you must know how and whereto obtain them, their cost, their availability and how you can store them. Your space needs to be tidy with good filing systems so that everything is properly classified and easy to find. You need to organize your time so that you do the most important tasks first and do not become sidetracked or waste time on unrelated activities.

Organize the activities by putting them in order of priority and ensuring you have all the tools and materials to hand. If you are working with others you will need good interpersonal skills such as clarity of communication and ability to delegate and motivate. You can help organize the work

by using planning tools such as charts, checklists, spreadsheets and calendars.


Worksheet        

Look at this model planning sheet and then complete another one for an objective in your own life.

1.   Define a major objective in your life or work.

To learn to drive.

2.   List the steps you need to take in order

to achieve it.

Have lessons, learn theory, save money to pay

for the lessons, take driving test.

3.   Put those steps in order of priority.

1. Save money for lessons

2. Book lessons

3. Study theory

4. Take test.

4.   Now list the resources or materials you

will need, identify where you will work on each goal, state how long each goal will take and list any people whose input you will need.

1.   Right amount of money (do extra jobs

around the house and garden for next six months to save X amount)

2.   Borrow car (mother or father)

3.   Ask older brother/sister to accompany me for practice one a week.

5.   Make a list of planning and

organization tools that will help you.

1.   Calendar to show lesson dates and

practice times

2.   Notebook for theory notes

3.   Computer driving simulation software.


1) Define a major objective in your life or work.

 

2) List the steps you need to take in order to achieve.

 

3) Put those steps in order of priority.

 

4) Now list the resources or materials you will need, identify where you will work on eachgoal, state how long each goal will take and list any people whose input you will need.

 

5) Make a list of planning and organization tools that will help you.

 

 

Now find a friend or colleague with whom you can discuss your efforts to achieve a goal!


Last modified: Tuesday, January 12, 2021, 12:39 PM