The Power of Setting Goals

Happy New Year! As we roll on into 2018 I hope this post finds you doing well. I hope you had time to relax and reflect over the break.

If you’re like many high-achievers you at least briefly considered making some sort of New Year’s resolution, pledge, vow, or goal, even if it was just in your mind. Whether you’ve made new goals for 2018 or just resolved to follow through on goals you made last year (like me resolving to post more on this blog!) I hope that at least one of those goals is something professional in nature. Whatever your goal(s), here are some ideas on how to help you follow through:

1. Follow the SMART framework: A whole post could be done on this point alone. Is your goal specific and measurable (e.g. “Do quick formative checks with students three times per period.” vs. “Do more formative assessment.”)? Is it attainable; is it within your power to accomplish within a reasonable amount of time? Is it relevant; is it a goal worth working toward? Is it timely; what is your time frame for accomplishing your goal?
2. Seek advice from others: To help you make more attainable and relevant goals, it’s probably helpful to consult the advice of other like-minded professionals. Which of your colleagues are crushing it? See what their goals are (because you know they have some). What are the people in your PLN talking about? (Don’t have a PLN? There’s your goal!) And don’t forget your principal. There’s the person who probably more than anyone else knows your strengths and areas for growth and can give you some great feedback on attainable and worthwhile goals.
3. Set times to evaluate and re-evaluate progress toward your goals: If you’re a subscriber to the SMARTER goal framework, you already knew this. Make sure that you take time weekly or bi-weekly to assess whether or not you’re making adequate progress toward achieving your professional goals.
4. Share your goals with others: A sure-fire way to make sure you get it done is to have someone hold you accountable. Find another high-achieving staff member, or even your principal, who can occasionally ask you “How’s it coming?” And here’s a novel idea: what about candidly sharing some of your goals with your students, or if you’re a principal sharing them with your staff? No one will keep you honest (or be as brutally honest with you about your progress) like your students or staff.
5. Keep the number low: The best way to make sure you achieve those goals is to have a laser-like focus on a very few, high-utility goals. You’re more likely to find success focusing all your energy and effort on 1 to 3 goals than trying to keep track of your progress on 5 to 10 goals.
6. Celebrate success: Don’t forget to take time to relish in the victory. You’ve earned it!

Setting goals is a skill that can be developed. Done wrong, it can lead to some feelings of failure, disappointment, and can stunt your own personal growth. But done well, goal-setting and goal-achieving can be one of the best things you can do to invest in yourself.

If this is true for us as professionals, why can’t this be true for our students? Next week we’ll discuss the practice of goal-setting with students.