Simple question: Do you know what you are trying to achieve (in your education or just in life in general) - and why? Really think about that question. It's more important that anything. If you don't understand what you're trying to achieve or why you're trying to achieve it then you have absolutely no hope of getting there. Why? Well where are you trying to get to anyway? You haven't even defined it remember! So step one is to create a goal want to achieve and a goal you actually understand.
Once you have established the "what" and the "why", you can move to the next step - the "who". As in, who do you need to be to make sure that goal happens? What sort of actions do you need to take? How will you know if you are really on track or if you are just kidding yourself? Are you becoming the person you need to become to achieve the goal? Or are you just hoping that you can be exactly as you are now and still achieve the goal?
In other words, do you improve yourself each day in order to become the person you need to be in order to achieve the goal you want to achieve - or do you change nothing and do nothing and just hope everything will somehow work out for the best? Remember, be honest!
Achieving a goal is a process not an event. The problem is that people don't like processes - we like events! You see, we like to get an A+ on our Maths test, but we don't want to do the study and homework required (i.e. the process) to get the A+, we just want the event - the great score! We like the idea of looking fit and healthy but we don't like part where we have to eat well and exercise constantly. Do we? It all makes sense when you understand that we don't like the process - we just like the events.
This is exactly what happens in our studies. Most students have a dream of that going to College or University, or having a great career one day or of starting their own business, but the process of actually getting to that level of education is often long and painful. All of the homework, the tests, the exams and the assignments required to get good grades can really break the back of even a student with the best intentions!
The process of passing school is hard, the process of being an A+ student is even harder. However, the events along the way, such as getting a good grade on a test, or getting a good report card, or getting into the College of your choice, are the enjoyable "events" (i.e. the rewards) for going through the process.
This is a significant distinction in terms of goal setting and goal achievement. Keeping in mind that because we love events and not processes, it stands to reason that we will struggle to achieve the goals we set for ourselves. Why? Well we don't want to go through the hard yards to make it happen. We just want the event - the goal being achieved! Make sense doesn't it?
By focusing on the process (and not just the event) and how the process is going to occur you are far more likely to achieve your goal. By asking yourself who you need to become to achieve your goal (like "Who do I need to become to achieve an A average for Science?") you are demonstrating that you understand how a goal is actually achieved - and questioning how you are going to make it through the process. So, who do you need to become to achieve the goals you want to achieve?
Goals don't just happen. They are clearly defined and then deliberately worked towards. You create an event (an A+ in Maths) and then you have to go through the process to get there. Focus on the process and the event will happen. Focus on the event (like everyone wants to) and nothing will happen. The choice is yours!
Once you have established the "what" and the "why", you can move to the next step - the "who". As in, who do you need to be to make sure that goal happens? What sort of actions do you need to take? How will you know if you are really on track or if you are just kidding yourself? Are you becoming the person you need to become to achieve the goal? Or are you just hoping that you can be exactly as you are now and still achieve the goal?
In other words, do you improve yourself each day in order to become the person you need to be in order to achieve the goal you want to achieve - or do you change nothing and do nothing and just hope everything will somehow work out for the best? Remember, be honest!
Achieving a goal is a process not an event. The problem is that people don't like processes - we like events! You see, we like to get an A+ on our Maths test, but we don't want to do the study and homework required (i.e. the process) to get the A+, we just want the event - the great score! We like the idea of looking fit and healthy but we don't like part where we have to eat well and exercise constantly. Do we? It all makes sense when you understand that we don't like the process - we just like the events.
This is exactly what happens in our studies. Most students have a dream of that going to College or University, or having a great career one day or of starting their own business, but the process of actually getting to that level of education is often long and painful. All of the homework, the tests, the exams and the assignments required to get good grades can really break the back of even a student with the best intentions!
The process of passing school is hard, the process of being an A+ student is even harder. However, the events along the way, such as getting a good grade on a test, or getting a good report card, or getting into the College of your choice, are the enjoyable "events" (i.e. the rewards) for going through the process.
This is a significant distinction in terms of goal setting and goal achievement. Keeping in mind that because we love events and not processes, it stands to reason that we will struggle to achieve the goals we set for ourselves. Why? Well we don't want to go through the hard yards to make it happen. We just want the event - the goal being achieved! Make sense doesn't it?
By focusing on the process (and not just the event) and how the process is going to occur you are far more likely to achieve your goal. By asking yourself who you need to become to achieve your goal (like "Who do I need to become to achieve an A average for Science?") you are demonstrating that you understand how a goal is actually achieved - and questioning how you are going to make it through the process. So, who do you need to become to achieve the goals you want to achieve?
Goals don't just happen. They are clearly defined and then deliberately worked towards. You create an event (an A+ in Maths) and then you have to go through the process to get there. Focus on the process and the event will happen. Focus on the event (like everyone wants to) and nothing will happen. The choice is yours!
About the Author:
HelpMeToStudy.org is the leading online resource for learning new study skills, transforming your study habits and discovering the best studying tips available. We will help change the way you think about study - and even better - we will show you how to study effectively: How To Study Effectively | How To Set Goals
