Goal setting

August 3, 2022

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/