When you link your day-to-day tasks to goals, you see the purpose behind your work. This helps you stay motivated. Think about both short-term and long-term goals to gain perspective.
Define long-term goals by answering the question, “What do I want to accomplish?”
- You need a long-term goal to stay motivated!
Example: I want to finish my major paper a week before it’s due.
Define short-term goals by answering the question, “How will I accomplish my long-term goal?”
- Success in a larger project is the result of completing daily and weekly goals
- These goals should be concrete and manageable tasks that help you develop skills
- Simple and well-defined short-term goals can keep you from getting overwhelmed
Example: To get my paper done early, I’m going to spend 2 hours looking for sources on the Library databases tonight.
SMART Goals are detailed and manageable goals that are accompanied by a plan of action.
SMART Goal Step
Specific
| Who? What? Where? When? Which? Why? |
Measurable
| How much/many? How will I know when I’ve achieved my goal? |
Attainable
| What skills do I need? What is my timeframe? What steps will I follow? |
Realistic/Relevant
| Do I believe I can accomplish this goal? Have I achieved similar goals? Is this related to my long-term plans? |
Timely/Tangible
| What is my deadline? When will I begin? Am I being realistic? In what concrete ways will I know I’ve achieved my goal? |
| Improve your writing and study skills! Book an appointment with a writing advisor and/or academic coach on OSCARplus. Questions? Email skills@mcmaster.ca. |
References
UMass Dartmouth. (2020). Creating S.M.A.R.T. goals. https://www.umassd.edu/fycm/goal-setting/resources/smartgoals/