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.

Jenn has never really liked making plans. Being a spontaneous person, she hates the idea of setting objectives for the future. To her, everything should be done and taken in the here and now. Then Jenn hit a bump in the map of her life. She lost her job due to her company’s downsizing and found herself back in the pool of unemployed. For the second time in her life (the first being her college days), she had to set her goals straight in order to get back on track.

If you are like Jenn, then you also need to set your goals in order for you to move ahead in life. But how do you set your goals and achieve them? The following bulleted points could help you.

• Setting goals does not immediately mean that you will get results. They can disappear like long forgotten memories – particularly if you don’t do anything with them.

• Keep that fire burning! You have to keep your goals in mind and put them to heart. You don’t have to think of them 24/7 but you have to be constantly reminded of them so that you don’t lose track of what you are supposed to do.

• You can have your own vision board or board of dreams or whatever it is that you would like to call your shrine of the things that you want to achieve. Why settle for a mediocre writing list that could be so boring and so uninspiring? You should release your creative energies! Perhaps you like photo mosaic, if so then why not collect photos of your dreams and turn them into your portrait? Images are usually a great source of inspiration.

• You should focus on your goals. Set your goals sharp, definite and detailed. That way, you have an inkling regarding your next step.

• Set a time frame for your goals. In this manner, you do not become lax or forgetful. As a bonus, the elation that you will experience once you achieve something within your designated time frame will provide you with more motivation for pursuing your other goals.

• Have measurable goals. Your goals must be attainable. Don’t make them too small that they end up restricting your potential or too big that they end up making you feel that you are not progressing.

• Measure your progress. When you set your goals, you have to realize that it is essential for you to be able to measure your progress as this would keep you going in the right direction.

• Include inspirational messages / statements / thinking and positive words when you set your goals.

• Prioritize. It is natural for you to have many objectives, many dreams and many desires. However, try to avoid being overwhelmed by them and prioritize those that you deem as more important. Remember, it takes one step at a time to get to the finish line.

• Carry with you a written reminder of your goals so as to crystallize them. This could be a simple note stored in your blackberry or in your cellular phone. However way you want to write them down, carry your list with you so that they appear as real as they could.

• Set your goals realistically. This means you should be able to achieve your goals through your skills and capabilities. Dream about things that are plausible. You can’t dream of becoming the next Angelina Jolie if you don’t know the first thing about acting.

• Finally, if you fail in meeting your goals, don’t lose heart! Just learn from that experience! The key to success is learning from failure.

The above is basically a summary of the many ideas that one could use when setting goals and achieving them. If you are in need of the aforementioned suggestions then, just remember that to set your goals is equal to making that important choice in your life. Keep in mind that when you set your goals, you set your life.

Julie is a certified musician/music lover. She plays the piano, the guitar and the violin marvelously, plus she sings like a nightingale and is a talented songwriter. In fact, Julie is deeply in love with music such that music has crept into almost every aspect of her life. She can only study if she’s incessantly listening to her Ipod. She is inseparable with her earphones—and she even sets her goals music.

Set goals with music? That’s right. It’s part of Music therapy. And I’m not kidding here—there is such a thing as music therapy. So what is music therapy and how do you set your goals music? Here are a few pointers:

• Music therapy is the set use of music and music-related strategies to aid and motivate a person to achieve specific, nonmusical goals. Music therapy is geared towards effecting change in the cognitive, physical, communication, social and emotional skills of a person by altering unproductive learning patterns.

• Music therapy makes use of the appeal and therapeutic characteristics of music (it captivates and maintains attention, structures time, sets up a social context, encourages movement, taps into memory and emotion, and is success oriented). It does this to establish the difference between isolation and interaction and is proven to be most helpful in situations such as depression, anger, pain, autism, stress, grief, loss, time management, motivation, growth, change, procrastination and improving communication.

• Research suggests that music can increase patient’s motivation and positive emotions.

• Music therapy tools include.

1. Affirmation – an integration of words, rhythm and melody that gives the person the ability to think positively by eliminating barriers to prosperity, decrease stress and generate pathways to love and confidence.
2. Mind quieting – helps you gain control of your thoughts, and thus maintain your control on your life.
3. Breathing – breath is life, its depth, smoothness, sound and rate mirror your mood.
4. Mantras – their magical sounds stimulate, activate, motivate and rejuvenate.
5. Chanting – it strengthens the mind and develops concentration, patience and determination.
6. Toning – it is the basic process of letting go.

• How to set your goals music?

1. Find a 10-15-minute worth of songs that match your present mood.
2. Find another 10-15-minute musical selection that mirrors your present internal state and the state you want to achieve.
3. Find a 10 to 15 musical selection of songs that match the desired state you want to achieve.
4. Record these and go over the musical selections as many times as possible.

That’s how music can help you set your goals. Goal setting can be as simple as setting your goals music but it boils down to utilizing the great power of music not just to entertain but to heal the mind, body and soul. And, remember, you don’t have to be a musician or a music lover to practice music therapy or to set your goals music — the only criterion is that you have this great burning desire to achieve success and make the most of your life.

Mr. Stewart gave each of us a piece of paper with an instruction to write one of our life’s goals. After ten minutes, he collected the papers. You know what? Every piece of paper was crumpled except for Annie’s –“By September 2nd of 2009, I will position myself for a minimum raise of 9% of my salary by reducing the department’s budget by 9% but increasing its sales by at least 9%”. Then, with a smile, Mr. Stewart said: “Ladies and gentlemen, we have an example of a smart goal version of saying I want a raise!”

Smart goals? Yes, you heard it right. Here are some 101’s on these goals and some examples of smart goals:

• Specific. You know what you want to accomplish. Vague goals equate to vague results. Goals must be fully furnished with detailed description of the what, when and how.

Vague goal – I will graduate;
SMART Goal – I will graduate Magna Cum Laude in four years time. I will commit myself to studying to get a minimum 3.679 grade-point average in all my subjects.

• Measurable. You can assess your progress. Goals which can not be measured can not be managed. Your goal is measurable if anyone can tell you at the end of the deadline, whether or not you have completed your goal.

Vague goal – I want to be successful;
SMART goal – I want to have a savings account with at least $500,000 within 5 years from this date.

• Attainable. Your goal must be within your reach in your present situation. High goals that stretch you are okay, but high AND realistic goals are better. Unattainable goals can not motivate you. Easy goals on the other hand are not challenging enough. Thus, they do not contribute to your growth.

Vague goal – I want to be rich in three months;
SMART goal – I want to be rich in 8 years by starting my own food business and attending business and management seminars and workshops.

• Relevant. Goals need to be parallel to your purpose in life. Relevant goals are a sure way to direct your efforts towards attaining something that is concentrated to who you are as a person. Goals are simply instruments to accomplishing one’s mission/purpose in life.

Vague goal – Within a year, I will become a politician with large sums of money at my disposal;
SMART goal – By the end of the year, I will become a leader who will fight to increase productivity and tourism in my country.

• Time-Sensitive. Goals need to have deadlines. A goal free from time element is susceptible to procrastination.

Vague goal – I will do my research paper;
SMART goal – I will start doing my research paper by 7 tonight and finish it by 7 pm on the next day.

The aforementioned illustrates how you can make your goals smart. There are also examples of smart goals contrasted with vague goals above. Yes, success depends on goal setting—but not just plain goal setting. You have to make your goals smart!

And for you? What are your examples of smart goals?

It’s as if Brett was born under a lucky star – and considering the fortune that fills his life, it sure is one heck of a lucky star! He has a good family, a wonderful set of friends, a stable and well-paid job and killer looks. He has everything that anyone would die for just to have. Ladies admire him and gentlemen want to be like him. But Brett’s fortune isn’t because of astrology or anything of the sort. He says that his secret lies in knowing the rules of attraction. When he told me about it, I initially thought that it was a hoax – especially when he told me that such could impact an individual’s overall life. But when he explained to me the following principles underlying the rules of attraction, I was convinced that he wasn’t just pulling my leg.

• We create our own reality. We attract to ourselves what we want and what we do not want through our thoughts and feelings. If we focus on hating our jobs, we will fail to see the satisfying point of our employment ergo we won’t have a happy work life.

• Be wary of having the not enough disposition. If we dwell on what we do not have or if we are too focus on the idea that what we have is too meager, it really won’t matter if we have a million bucks attached to our names, for us it will still be not enough. When we always think about the things in life that we are lacking, we end up creating a less than reality even when we should really be happy with the abundance that we have been given.

• The secret is to use the power of affirmation. If we get rid of the I-feel-sorry-for-myself mantra and do away with all those negative phrases that infest the human mind, we can attract good things. We must remember to break the habit of attracting whatever is negative which we unintentionally invite to our lives through our negative thinking.

• Evaluate. We should ask ourselves about what we really want and then gear our actions towards that.

• Believe. We should push doubt out of our lives by having faith that what we want can and will become ours.

• Receive and act. We should grab every opportunity that will take us a step closer to our goals.

Yes we can attract abundance in our lives – it is just a matter of knowledge coupled with the right attitude. The rules of attraction simply tell us that life is what we make it. Our choices and our mindset draw the line between success and failure. Furthermore, the rules of attraction remind us of the power of staying positive – a difficult task for anyone who gets easily discouraged when faced with failure and disappointment. But let us keep in mind that we have the power to attract abundance – so long as we know what we want, believe that we can get it and strive for it.