Educational Smart Goals – How Can Students Make Their Goals Smart?

Annabel and Erika are college freshmen taking up a bachelor’s degree in Accountancy. Whereas both of the girls have exemplary records in their respective high schools (both of them graduated on top of their class), anyone who has read the girls’ assignment on their respective goal in college could easily predict that Erika will do better. Compared to Annabel’s “I’m gonna do well in class” goal, Erika bravely has her eyes set on the goal of “Managing my time well to be able to get a 3.4 grade-point average in all my subjects”.

Obviously, Erika knows about educational smart goals. Just an FYI, SMART goal is an acronym for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound goals. Here are a few examples of educational smart goals:

• Educational smart goals are specific—there is no room for vague goals which are overwhelming and unachievable. Your goals need to be detailed, concise and clear. Instead of saying “I’m going to study better”, an educational smart goal says “I will devote 2 hours every night to do my schoolwork”. The educational smart goal version of “I’m going to finish my term paper” is “I will begin doing my term paper a month before the deadline.”

• Educational smart goals are measurable. Time frames, dates, amounts – anything that could measure your success – are essential as they provide the means to help you determine whether you have attained your goal. Rather than aiming for “better grades”, target a particular grade-point average by the end of the semester.

• Educational smart goals are attainable. Take action not a reaction—in short, be realistic in your goals. Graduating on top of the class may be unlikely if your consistently on probation or if your average is just 2.2. Try aiming for a 3.0 instead—with a lot of effort that is more realistic.

• Educational smart goals are relevant. Goals need be set up with a clear purpose. If your goal is to ace your mid-term exam in biology that is four days away, don’t get distracted by starting on your home reading report that is not due for another week.

• Educational smart goals are time-bound. Goals need to have a starting point, a time frame and an ending point. Working on a detailed thesis paper is praiseworthy, but not if you only have one week to finish it.

If you want quality and consistent improvement in your life, goal setting is a process you must master. And students are not exempted from this fact. Knowing how to set goals is an indispensable capability for students. But what is even more essential is that students make their goals smart. Indeed, goal setting is an important skill students must have—and it is a most daunting thing to master. But taking time to make your educational goals specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound might make all the difference. Here we have more smart goals examples to give you a better idea of how you can apply this to your daily routine.

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Joke Motivational Posters – How Do We Get Motivated With a Few Laughs?

Manuel is definitely the office clown. Manuel is gifted with the ability to make anyone laugh so hard that tears begin to fall down his/her cheeks. Manuel can make you roll on your stomach faster than you can say schizophrenic.

But whereas Manuel is known for his horsing around, he is much more sought after for his being a great motivator. What is his secret for motivating others and himself? His collection of joke motivational posters. Yep, joke motivational posters practically cover every inch of his room. He even made them into bookmarks as giveaways to friends. Here are a few of the phrases on Manuel’s joke motivational posters:

• Relationships: Sure there are plenty of other fish in the sea. But you’re not anywhere near the sea. You’re in the desert. Alone.

• Cloning: Because you’re socially awkward.

• Wishes: When you wish upon a star your dreams can come true. Unless it’s really a meteorite hurtling to Earth that will destroy all life. Then you’re pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for. Unless its death by meteor.

• Remember that you are unique. Just like everybody else.

• Underachievement: The tallest blade of grass is the first to be cut by the lawn mower.

• Incompetence: When you earnestly believe you can compensate for a lack of skill by doubling your efforts, there’s no end to what you can’t do.

• Potential: Not everyone gets to be an astronaut when they grow up.

• Adversity: That which doesn’t kill me postpones the inevitable.

• Perseverance: Do or do not. There is no try.

• Success: Sometimes being full of hot air is all you really need.

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Life Coaches – Does your Life Need a Coach?

Bruce Hemingway has two things in common with Batman. One, he shares the same name with billionaire Bruce Wayne, the Dark Knight’s “alter ego”. Two, he rescues people, but the only difference is that while Batman does this with his Batmobile, Batcave and martial arts, Bruce Hemingway does this by being a life coach.

Life coaches like Bruce Hemingway or Tony Robbins dedicate their life to the craft of guiding, educating and training an individual or a group of people with the aim to achieve a goal or develop a skill. Exactly what do life coaches do? Read this to find out:

• Life coaches lend a hand to clients in determining and achieving personal goals by applying methods such as mentoring, values assessment, behavior modification, behavior modeling and goal setting.

• Life coaches play the part of a “sounding board”. Clients see life coaches as people who listen to them and give them sincere feedback.

• Life coaches are motivators—they are ready to offer support when clients need a self confidence boost and be a lamppost to guide them which direction they should be taking.

• Though some coaches have a background in counseling, they engage their clients in a process that is different than a therapy session. Whereas therapists delve into the healing of past wounds, life coaches motivate you in examining your present situation and moving your life forward. Moreover, therapists aid the problematic whereas life coaches help the healthy people perk up their lives.

• They help you take the time out to evaluate your life and open your eyes as to why your life is not working the way you want it to.

• They help you create inspiring goals, locate and throw away hidden beliefs that limit your potential, keep you focused and positive.

Does your life need a coach? If amidst all your responsibilities, projects, activities and accomplishments you still feel a void in your heart and if there’s a tiny voice that tells you, you are going the wrong way then you definitely need a life coach to guide you to the right track. But remember, life coaches are only there to help you—you are in control of the coaching process, YOU ARE IN CHARGE of where your life will be going.