my smart goals in life i hereby declare essay

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My Goal In Life Essay

A goal is a vision for the future or the desired outcome that an individual commits to imagining, planning, and achieving. People try to achieve their goals in a restricted time by setting deadlines. Here are some sample essays on my goal in life.

100 Words Essay On My Goal In Life

A goal is a desire you have to accomplish yourself. If one wants to succeed in life, one must have a goal. Being a teacher is my life's ambition. A wonderful and responsible profession is teaching. I have made the conscious decision to do all in my ability to promote knowledge among the people. Some people believe that money is life.

However, in my opinion, morality is what makes life truly sweet. In the future, I hope to be a beloved and reputable teacher. I have no clue how far I will get in achieving my goal but I'll give it my best.

200 Words Essay On My Goal In Life

A goal is a vision for the future or a desired outcome that an individual or group of individuals commits to envisioning, planning, and achieving. By setting deadlines, people try to accomplish their goals by setting deadlines.

My current goal is related to my education. I want to come in first place and achieve the top marks in every subject because this will increase my chances of receiving an overseas scholarship. I am putting a lot of effort into achieving this as my objective. Any student wants the chance to pursue their studies overseas, and I have that chance. I also take my coursework seriously and educate myself on all topics pertaining to my field of study, including research, literature, and academic journals.

Additionally, studying overseas will help me get a superior education and a diploma that is recognised across the world, both of which will allow me to compete for prominent jobs. So that I may accomplish my goal, I don't waste time on pointless activities and instead pay attention to my studies. My family is undoubtedly a tremendous benefit for me; they support me at all times and provide me whatever I require. Additionally, I owe a lot of credit for my success to my professors, who are a big help to me in my studies.

500 Words Essay On My Goal In Life

Everybody has a life goal. The aim or aspiration of man is his inner desire. One will not take any action if his or her goals are unclear.

What Is A Goal

The goal of an individual is to achieve a particular objective or target. Goal may also refer to the finish line of a race or the object that a player is attempting to insert as part of a game. As a noun, "goal" has other meanings. A goal is something you strive to achieve after working hard and persistently towards it.

Types Of Goals

Mastery goals | A mastery goal, such as "I will score higher in this event next time," is one that someone sets to attain or master a certain skill.

Performance-approach goals | A performance-approach goal is one where the person aims to outperform their peers. This kind of objective might be to improve one's appearance by dropping 5 pounds or to receive a better performance evaluation.

Performance-avoidance goals | When someone sets a goal, they frequently want to avoid performing worse than their peers, such as setting a goal to avoid receiving negative

Importance Of A Goal

A goal is similar to a specific objective, the anticipated outcome that directs behaviour, or an end, which is a thing, whether it be a tangible thing or an abstract thing, that has inherent worth.

Everyone should have a life goal. When you have a goal, you work hard every day to attain it and live for it. And when you succeed in those efforts, you feel more confident.

Goals provide us a path to follow. We can hold ourselves accountable by having goals. We are able to clarify what we genuinely desire in life when we set goals and strive toward obtaining them. We can better organise our priorities by setting goals.

Goals can be long-term and short-term. For instance, finishing your schoolwork might be a short-term goal. Learning a musical instrument, pursuing a profession as a doctor, or other long-term goals examples.

Due to the length of time required and the fact that we pick our professional objective, long-term goals play crucial roles in life. The most significant effects of choosing a certain career occur both during and after the effort to attain it.

Setting goals encourages us to create plans of action that will help us reach the desired level of performance.

Example Of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam overcame obstacles to achieve his aim while serving as India's 11th president from 2002 to 2007. Dr Abdul Kalam was raised by Muslim parents who spoke Tamil. Being from a low-income household, Dr Abdul Kalam began delivering newspapers after school at a young age to help augment his family's income. This fact allowed him to help support his father financially. He did not succeed academically, but he was a dedicated student who enjoyed mathematics.

Even during his senior project in college, the dean expressed displeasure with the lack of progress and threatened to revoke his scholarship if the assignment wasn't completed by the next three days. He later put forth a lot of effort on his assignment and finished it on time, impressing the dean. From that point on, Dr Kalam worked as a scientist with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) , eventually rising to the position of organisation chief. What follows is history.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Goals — The Significance of SMART Goals

The Significance of Smart Goals

Categories: Goals Personal Goals

About this sample

Words: 629 |

Published: Jan 31, 2024

Words: 629 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Definition and explanation of smart goals, setting specific goals, measuring progress and achievements, ensuring goals are achievable, relevance of goals, setting time-bound goals, references:.

“Importance of Goal Setting: Why Set Goals?” Mind Tools, www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_87.htm.
Locke, Edwin A., and Gary P. Latham. A Theory of Goal Setting & Task Performance. Prentice-Hall, 1990.
Grant, Heid“SMART Goals: Definition and Examples.” The Balance Careers, 2021, www.thebalancecareers.com/smart-goals-4760192.

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13 SMART Goals Examples for All Parts of Life

Charting a course toward personal growth and self-improvement involves setting well-crafted goals encompassing all life aspects. One powerful approach is to utilize the SMART goal-setting framework.

Here are 13 SMART goals examples spanning diverse areas such as career, finances, health, and relationships. These examples will provide a solid foundation for formulating personalized SMART goals.

Doing so will allow you to be better prepared to make meaningful strides toward a more prosperous and gratifying life. Let’s dive straight into it.

Table of Contents

What is a SMART Goal?

The SMART system empowers you to create practical goals for various aspects of life. For those unfamiliar, SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.

Let’s delve further into each SMART component:

The more precise your life goals are, the greater your chances of achieving them. Vague goals can be arduous, while specificity can help offer direction and clarity.

For instance, if you aim to improve your fitness , set a precise goal: “Run a 5k in under 30 minutes within 8 months.” This sort of goal provides clear guidance on what must be done.

Measurable goals are essential because they allow you to effectively gauge progress. When developing a life goal, you should ensure it includes quantifiable criteria. That will make it easier to succeed in your personal journey.

It’s important to consider your current capabilities and strengths when creating life goals. After all, unrealistic expectations may lead to frustration. You want to be able to establish objectives that align with your existing skills.

Concentrate on goals that truly matter to you. Doing so gives you the motivation and determination to overcome challenges.

Ask yourself questions like: What do I value most? What brings me happiness ? By understanding your personal values, you can start pursuing meaningful goals.

With a solid time frame in place, you could stay on track and focus on your life goals. After all, success isn’t achieved overnight—it’s a process of hard work and dedication that requires cultivating over time.

Here are several examples of SMART goals for your whole life:

1. Increase Your Salary

SMART Goal: I’ll increase my salary by 15% within 6 months by negotiating with my employers and seeking additional job opportunities. I’ll research the job market and hone my negotiation skills to ensure I’m getting paid what I deserve.

Specific: This SMART goal is explicit because you’ll research the job market and negotiate with their employer.
Measurable: You can quantify the amount of the salary increase over time.
Attainable: This is achievable if you take action and put in the effort required to achieve it.
Relevant: Increasing your salary is a great life goal to ensure you get paid what your skills and experience deserve.
Time-based: Goal attainment is expected over the following 6 months.

2. Build Better Relationships

SMART Goal: I want to develop my interpersonal skills to build better relationships with my friends, colleagues, and family. I will try to listen more, communicate my needs clearly, and speak up when needed by the end of three months.

Specific: The aim is to improve interpersonal skills to cultivate better relationships with friends, colleagues, and family.
Measurable: Ensure you try to listen more, communicate needs clearly, and speak up when needed.
Attainable: With the right resources and dedication, this statement can be met within three months.
Relevant: This is an appropriate target to foster meaningful relationships with people in your life.
Time-based: Three whole months are required to accomplish success.

3. Save More Money

SMART Goal: I plan to save $500 per month by the end of this year. I’ll track my spending and budgeting to check for unnecessary expenses that can be cut out and used for savings instead.

Specific: This goal is about saving $500 monthly, tracking spending, and budgeting.
Measurable: The amount of money saved will be determined monthly for the year.
Attainable: Saving $500 a month is achievable when cutting unnecessary expenses.
Relevant: It helps to prioritize saving money for the future and be financially prepared.
Time-based: A deadline of one year is set for this particular goal.

4. Quit Smoking

SMART Goal: I will quit smoking by developing a plan tailored to my habits and triggers within the next 6 months. I’ll take advantage of resources like smoking cessation classes, quitting support lines, and online help.

Specific: The statement outlines what the person wants to achieve, the plan they’ll use to quit smoking, and when they will stop.
Measurable: You could test progress by examining how often you smoke and how many cigarettes you consume.
Attainable: The deadline provides enough time for the individual to create a plan to quit smoking.
Relevant: This is suitable because it’s essential to quit smoking in order to protect your health.
Time-based: There is a 6-month window for meeting this certain goal.

5. Get a Degree

SMART Goal: Within 5 years, I will complete all the requirements to earn a four-year degree from an accredited institution. This includes completing all required courses, maintaining a certain GPA, and taking steps to be accepted into the college or university of my choice.

Specific: The individual knows they must complete the requirements for a four-year degree from an accredited institution.
Measurable: You’ll need to complete all the required courses, maintain a certain GPA, and take steps to be accepted into a college or university.
Attainable: This is indeed doable with the right amount of hard work and dedication over 5 years.
Relevant: The goal is appropriate for the individual’s desire to earn a degree.
Time-based: Completion of this goal is anticipated after 5 years.

6. Learn a New Skill

SMART Goal: I will learn a new skill related to my profession or job by the end of 8 months. To accomplish this, I’ll take an online class, attend a workshop, or find someone with expertise in the field and learn from them.

Specific: The SMART goal is clear—gain a new skill related to the individual’s job or profession.
Measurable: You should follow the listed action items to achieve lasting success.
Attainable: This is achievable if you can access the necessary resources and time.
Relevant: The goal should be appropriate to your job as it will enhance your skill set and knowledge base.
Time-based: Goal achievement is expected over the next 8 months.

7. Start Your Own Business

SMART Goal: I want to start my own business by the end of one year. I will write a comprehensive business plan, research all regulations and legal requirements, determine appropriate financing, and open my business within the designated time frame.

Specific: The goal states what will be done to achieve it and provides a timeline.
Measurable: You could gauge progress by the number of tasks completed, such as writing a business plan and researching legal requirements.
Attainable: This goal is achievable because opening a business within a year is realistic.
Relevant: This is pertinent to creating a career that allows you to be your boss and build something of value.
Time-based: You have a one-year end date to accomplish the statement.

8. Grow Your Network

SMART Goal: I want to expand my professional network and make 5 new meaningful connections by attending networking events and conferences within the following three months.

Specific: Define your actions to grow your network and how many connections you want to make.
Measurable: Keep a record of how many meaningful connections you make regularly.
Attainable: Networking events and conferences can be a great way to meet people, so the goal is feasible.
Relevant: Expanding your professional network is essential for career development.
Time-based: You’ve set a timeline of three months to reach your goal.

9. Achieve Financial Freedom

SMART Goal: By the end of two years, I will build an emergency fund of $10,000 and invest a monthly amount of $1000 in a diversified portfolio to achieve financial freedom. I’ll also review and manage my investments regularly using the services of a professional advisor.

Specific: The goal is to build an emergency fund and invest a certain amount of money to attain financial independence.
Measurable: You will set aside a monthly amount of $1000 to reach the desired target.
Attainable: This is a reasonable amount of money to invest, and the person is taking action toward it.
Relevant: The SMART statement is applicable as it helps secure your financial future.
Time-based: The goal is time-bound because it has an end date of two years.

10. Improve Time Management

SMART Goal: I want to learn at least two time management techniques by the end of four months. I hope to use these techniques to improve productivity and reduce stress in my daily life.

Specific: The goal clearly states which techniques you need to learn and the timeline to accomplish it.
Measurable: Count the number of techniques you’ve learned and evaluate the productivity improvement.
Attainable: You have four months to research and learn two techniques, which is more than reasonable.
Relevant: Better time management is worthwhile for enhancing productivity and relieving stress.
Time-based: You have four months to complete this particular statement.

11. Boost Your Self-Confidence

SMART Goal: I’ll take steps to boost my self-confidence by engaging in positive self-talk and affirmations every day for three months. I will also practice positive visualization and participate in activities challenging me to get out of my comfort zone.

Specific: The person has identified activities to boost self-confidence within three months.
Measurable: Check off each activity undertaken as you reach the end of each day.
Attainable: This is feasible as it involves engaging in activities within your capability.
Relevant: Self-confidence is an important life skill to succeed in all areas.
Time-based: You have a three-month end date to accomplish the statement.

12. Become More Organized

SMART Goal: I will create a filing system and reorganize my workspace by the end of this month to ensure everything is organized and efficient. By spending an hour daily decluttering and organizing, I’m confident I can become more productive.

Specific: The goal is concise and clear, stating precisely the objective and how it will be met.
Measurable: Creating a filing system and reorganizing the workspace will make it easy to assess progress in becoming more organized.
Attainable: This is possible if the individual commits to spending an hour each day decluttering and organizing.
Relevant: This SMART goal is appropriate because it will help you work more efficiently.
Time-based: Goal attainment is expected within this month.

13. Travel More Frequently

SMART Goal: I plan to travel more often by figuring out how to make it financially feasible within the next 6 months. I want to double my vacation days or work-related trips to see more of the world and have new experiences.

Specific: This goal is crystal clear: you want to figure out how to make traveling more doable and double your number of trips for 6 months.
Measurable: You could track the number of trips you take and the money saved for travel-related expenses.
Attainable: It’s possible to save money for travel and find ways to get away, even for a weekend.
Relevant: Traveling more often can help you have new experiences and see the world.
Time-based: You have 6 entire months to make your travel dreams a reality.

Final Thoughts

Recognize that establishing SMART goals is a powerful strategy for achieving personal growth and self-improvement across various dimensions of your life.

By implementing these SMART goals as a starting point, you can create a well-rounded framework for success in your career, finances, health, and relationships. You’ll make significant strides toward a more fulfilling and enriched life.

Embrace the process, learn from your experiences, and celebrate your victories—both big and small—as you continue to grow and become the best version of yourself.

How To Write A Powerful Essay On Achieving Goals (+ Example)

Writing an essay on achieving your goals can be a great opportunity to share your accomplishments.

Goal setting is a useful strategy to get the most out of life and set yourself up for success. However, there are many things to remember regarding proper goal setting and achievement. When writing a blm argumentative essay , it’s important to provide context on the history of the Black Lives Matter movement and the issues it seeks to address. This can help the reader understand the significance of the essay’s thesis and arguments. Let’s get to grips with the process of goal setting and come up with a powerful essay on achieving goals.

Structuring Your Essay on Achieving Goals:

How to write an introduction.

Any academic essay must have a strong beginning. It will establish your point of view and inform the reader of what to expect. An introduction should:

Attract the reader’s attention with a ‘hook’. You can achieve this by quoting a shocking statistic, quote, fact, or controversial statement.
Give some background or historical information about the topic. For instance, psychological theories and models on effective goal setting and achievement.
Present your thesis (main point of your essay) e.g., “Rewarding achievement is the most effective means by which employers can increase workplace productivity”.

How to Write The Main Body of Your Essay

There should be a minimum of three paragraphs in your essay. Each one is a ‘mini-essay with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Each should include:

Topic sentence: inform the reader about the subject of the paragraph, e.g., “how to measure goal attainment”, or “effective workplace goal setting”.
Evidence sentences: inform the reader about the evidence you’ve uncovered, e.g., a business model and study on effective workplace goal setting.
Analysis sentences : inform the reader of your thoughts on the evidence and its significance. For example, “Model A clearly shows how employers are to set realistic goals with employees and this model has proven to be successful in study x”.
Concluding sentence: summarize what you’ve learned about the topic and how it relates to the essay question. For instance, “Setting realistic goals for employees is straightforward and likely to increase successful goal achievement in the workplace”.

How to Write a Conclusion

To signal the essay is ending, use a suitable word or phrase , such as ‘In summary’ or ‘With all of this in mind’.
Reread your introduction to remind yourself of your thesis. After that, either paraphrase or respond to the thesis.
Summarize the key points stated in each of the assignment’s paragraphs. So, if you wrote three key body paragraphs, the conclusion should include three main themes.
Give your readers a concluding line on the main issue and possibly attempt to urge them to further ponder the topic in its wider context.

Example Of An Essay About Achieving Your Goals

So, let’s put all this information together and check an example essay on achieving goals: Effective Methods to Increase the Likelihood of Goal Achievement Achieving goals can be extremely rewarding and result in a more satisfying and successful life. Many people set goals yet cannot achieve them. However, there are ways to avoid or reduce the likelihood of missing the mark. By ensuring that goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound), using visualization techniques, and rewarding goal attainment, the chances of success increase. First, ensure your goals are SMART. This means that goals should be specific and measurable in terms of outcomes, e.g., test scores . Goals should be achievable and realistic to the person’s capabilities and resources available. Also, a goal should apply to the person’s work, education, hobbies, or interests and include a deadline. If there is no specificity of outcome, there’s no real way to see how someone has improved—or how they might be falling short. And if goals are not SMART, they are more difficult to achieve. Second, by imagining and visualizing the feelings and outcomes of achievement of the goal , the likelihood of high achievement increases. The imagination can be a powerful tool. Imagining the feelings of accomplishment helps to increase self-efficacy and motivation. A Canadian study found that imagery skills moderate the effect of mental practice on self-efficacy. The effects of visualization techniques are valuable in goal achievement. Third, once the goal has been accomplished, a reward is required. Getting a reward for hard work will increasingly motivate an individual to set and achieve the next goal. The offer of a reward gives employees and students an extra boost of motivation. Rewards help the cycle of goal setting and goal achieving to continue. In summary, by ensuring the goals set are SMART, visualizing and rewarding success, goal achievement becomes more likely. Achieving goals is a cyclic process that’s possible to master if the right method is in place.

The Basics of Setting and Achieving Goals

Getting things done is often more difficult than you may think. You may have a strong desire to see positive changes, including better grades, weight loss, or passing an educational course. But success requires more than just motivation. The right goal-achievement skill set can help you see the exact steps you need to perform to take your life to the next level. Of course, it all starts with setting a goal and there’s a useful (SMART) acronym to remember:

Goals should be specific and free of generalizations, or they are unlikely to get done. Instead of stating that your goal is to improve your English skills, make it more specific by stating that your goal is to learn and use one new word every weekday to boost your English vocabulary.

A goal should be measurable because you need to keep your finger on the pulse and know where you’re at. For instance, a test or assessment score can provide evidence that you have reached your goal.

A goal needs to be possible to achieved. If it’s beyond your capabilities or requires resources you cannot access, then you will set yourself up for failure.

Goals must have some relevance. It is pointless to set a goal if it’s not relevant to your life, work, education, interests, hobbies, etc.

You must set a completion date for your goal. If you do not set a deadline, you may lack the motivation to reach it. Once you have your SMART goal, record it clearly on paper or a mobile device and then visualize the outcome of achieving that goal. Imagine how happy you will feel when you achieve it. This vivid mental imagery will provide you with the extra motivation to go for it. Finally, when you reach your goal, it’s time to celebrate! Reward yourself with a trip, an item you desire, relaxation time with friends, or whatever else that will make you feel happy.

Ready to write an essay about achieving goals?

Hopefully, the information in the article has given you the basics to help you write a powerful essay on achieving goals. I also hope that this article has helped you think about how you can work toward achieving your own goals. There are many great books about the science of goal achievement. I especially recommend ones written by Brian Tracy , as they have helped me a great deal in my pursuit of happiness . You can also create an engaging presentation about achieving goals and objectives using this goal presentation template . Next up, you may want to explore an ultimate guide to writing expository essays .

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Essays About Goals: Top 5 Examples Plus 10 Prompts

Goals could be a one-time event or a lifelong growth process. Write effectively with the help of our essays about goals and writing prompts in our guide.

Having goals helps us have a sense of purpose. We find our determination, discipline, and strategic thinking tested to their limits. The road toward any goal, especially ambitious ones, is full of thorns and spikes. Some walk away and accept that these goals are not destined for them. Some, however, keep pressing forward, determined to achieve these goals. Gaining confidence in writing can help you achieve your goals by putting pen to paper and starting a plan.

5 Essay Examples

1. are you goal or growth conscious by katherine beneby, 2. how to help an employee figure out their career goals by dorie clark, 3. no goals: why is it so hard to do something for enjoyment’s sake by jenny valentish, 4. get inspired: how four hikers accomplished their 2021 hiking goals by anna roth , 5. does sharing your goals on social media make you more likely to achieve them by kristan russell, 1. my goals in life, 2. travel goals, 3. the goal of forming better study habits, 4. climate goals: are we progressing, 5. importance of fitness goals, 6. fiscal policy goals, 7. failing at your goals, 8. setting lofty vs. light goals, 9. poverty reduction goals, 10. my academic goals.

“The difference between goals and growth is that goals are seasonal, while growth is lifelong. Goals focus on a destination while growth focuses on a journey.”

In this essay, the writer discusses how achieving our goals may be possible if we reframe our minds to think of them as a growth process. This essay enumerates the difficulties of achieving our objectives and offers guidance on what will help put structure in how we formulate our growth plans. You might also be interested in these essays about bad habits .

“It’s not always possible to help the people we supervise identify and work toward their career goals… [S]o when we can assist our employees in getting there, it’s a meaningful way we can make a difference in their lives and their professional success.”

As per our list of topics to write about , this essay looks at how managers must realize their critical roles in the lives of the employees they handle. Their biggest contribution to the development of their employees is helping them achieve their tasks at work while ensuring these victories lead to their broader career goals. You might also be wondering, why write goals down?

“Once, to stave off depression, I set myself the goal-tastic mission of doing something new every day for a year – from flying in a glider to blowing things up – and blogging about it. Right from day one, the sense of focus lifted my mood, and there was frankly no time to overthink.”

In this essay, the writer looks at how atelic activities, or those we do for fun, positively influence our outlook. Our goal-driven world, however, hinders us from seeing the pure joy of doing things without goals. You might be interested in these essays about dream jobs .

“Last year, she set a goal to simply go hiking at all. And she’s thrilled to have made it happen, saying it was one of the best things she could have done for herself and her family during such a challenging year.”

This writer describes points to inspire people to start hiking and to set personal fitness goals. Look no further and turn to the inspiring stories of people who have targeted to hike across states, hike for the first time, hike once a month for health purposes, and hike a hundred miles yearly. For more inspiration, check out these essays about achievement .

“Wellness gurus and fitness bloggers seem to be divided between whether sharing goals on your social media sabotages you or holds you accountable.“

This essay revolves around a nascent study that aims to see if sharing your goals on social media make them more attainable. While initial results show that those who posted made significant progress compared to people who did not post, more questions need to be explored. You might be inspired by these essays about success .

10 Prompts on Essays About Goals

In this essay, delve into your short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals. Before anything else, elaborate on what drew you to set these goals. Then, share your action plans to make them a reality. Discuss the obstacles you’ve faced and how you’ve conquered them.

What is the one destination you dream of? For this essay, daydream about your travel goals. Direct that excitement and write your travel itinerary, the duration of your stay, where you will be staying, and what daring activities you will dare yourself to plunge into. You can also talk about whom you would like to be with when you fulfill your travel goals or if you prefer going solo.

It is a challenge to hit the books when we live in a world with unlimited distractions. In this topic prompt, share effective study habits to help students focus on their studies. One helpful tip, for example, is designing your environment to be conducive to a habit change. In the case of study habits, this means temporarily eliminating access to social media and other digital distractions. Cite more tips and conclude your essay with a few words of motivation.

Under the Paris Agreement , the landmark international agreement to fight climate change, countries must jointly strive to arrest global warming and cap it to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030. The question is: is this goal still on the table? Read recent news articles on how countries are following through on their Paris Treaty pledges. Listen to what environmentalists say about national efforts and tackle what more must be done to attain the climate goals.

Fitness is a common new year’s resolution but try convincing your readers to start their fitness goals today. First, help your readers explore the right dietary program and workout schedule based on their daily demands.

Then, underscore the importance of a fitness goal for gaining self-esteem and improving physical and mental health. Entice them with the idea of gaining a new exciting skill from a new workout activity and motivate them to start unlocking the fit version of themselves today.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries recorded ballooning debts as governments spent heavily to fight the pandemic and also support struggling sectors. So first, determine whether your country is in a tight fiscal space.

The fiscal space assessment framework created by the International Monetary Fund may help you identify the metrics and data to gather. Then, shed light on your government’s fiscal policy goals to address debt while spending in sectors that guarantee an economy’s long-term health, such as education and social services.

How do people receive failures? Write about people’s attitudes and actions when they fail at their goals. Can people develop depression, and how can they recover from the fall? Try to answer these and share your experience of failing at your goals.

Ask yourself: How did you move forward after that? Then, share your opinions on whether a failure signifies that it would be best for someone to find a new goal altogether or try again with stronger determination and a better-calculated strategy.

Which is better: aiming for a lofty goal that opens risks of failure, which many fear, or light goals that might do little in stretching out your potential? Answer this by listing the pros and cons of each. Then help readers strike the optimum balance between a loft or light goal. Cite examples of lofty and light goals to help your readers better differentiate the two.

For this essay, take a deep dive into the poverty reduction efforts of your government. First, give an overview of an ongoing flagship poverty reduction program and uncover its outcomes since its implementation. Read through government reports about the breakthrough goals of the program and which ones are gaining momentum.

Then, look at the other side of the fence by listening to what critics say about the program. Take note of their laments about bottlenecks in the program and what more can be done to attain poverty reduction goals swiftly.

Start with a descriptive paragraph detailing your academic goals. Writing about it vividly, as though it is the reality, is a creative way to show readers how much you have played out the scenarios of success in your head while helping your readers fully understand your goals. Then snap back to reality and discuss your action plan to realize these goals.

For related topics, you may check our essays about dreams in life . Don’t forget to proofread your essay with the best grammar checkers .

my smart goals in life i hereby declare essay

Yna Lim is a communications specialist currently focused on policy advocacy. In her eight years of writing, she has been exposed to a variety of topics, including cryptocurrency, web hosting, agriculture, marketing, intellectual property, data privacy and international trade. A former journalist in one of the top business papers in the Philippines, Yna is currently pursuing her master's degree in economics and business.

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How Do I Write An Essay About Achieving My Goals?

Introduction.

Writing an essay about achieving your goals can be a powerful exercise in self-reflection and motivation. Whether you are writing for a class assignment, a college application, or simply for personal development, this article will guide you through the process of creating a well-structured and compelling essay on this topic. By breaking down the steps involved and providing helpful tips, you’ll be equipped to express your aspirations, outline an action plan, and highlight the significance of achieving your goals.

Step 1: Set Clear Goals

Achieving your goals starts with clearly defining what you want to accomplish. Take some time to reflect on your aspirations and think about what truly matters to you. Your goals may include academic achievements, career aspirations, personal growth, or any other area of your life that you wish to improve. Ensure that your goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART goals). By setting clear goals, you will be able to better articulate your vision in your essay.

Step 2: Plan Your Essay Structure

Before diving into the writing process, it’s essential to plan the structure of your essay. This will ensure that your ideas flow smoothly and logically, engaging the reader from start to finish. Generally, an essay consists of three main parts: an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

The Introduction: Begin your essay with a captivating introduction. Grab the reader’s attention with an anecdote, a relevant quote, or a thought-provoking question. Clearly state your goals and the significance they hold for you. Conclude the introduction with a concise thesis statement that presents the main focus of your essay.

Body Paragraphs: The body of your essay offers an opportunity to elaborate on your goals and the steps you are taking or planning to take to achieve them. Divide your body paragraphs based on the subtopics or themes you want to discuss. For each paragraph, present a specific goal, provide relevant details, and explain why it is important to you. Consider incorporating examples, personal experiences, or research to support your statements and make your essay more persuasive.

The Conclusion: Wrap up your essay with a strong conclusion that reinforces the main points you have discussed. Avoid introducing new information here. Instead, highlight the potential impact of achieving your goals and leave the reader with a final thought or call to action.

Step 3: Conduct Research

If your essay requires factual information or expert opinions, conducting research will provide you with valuable insights to enhance your writing. Utilize reputable sources such as scholarly articles, books, or credible websites to gather information that supports your aspirations. When referencing sources, make sure to cite them properly using the appropriate citation style (e.g., MLA, APA).

Step 4: Draft and Revise

Now that you have a plan and have conducted research, begin writing the initial draft of your essay. Start with the body paragraphs, as they contain the core content of your essay. Ensure each paragraph follows a logical flow and connects back to the main focus of your essay.

Once you have completed your draft, take time to review and revise. Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. Ensure that your ideas are presented clearly and cohesively. Consider seeking feedback from others, such as teachers, family members, or friends, to gain different perspectives and improve your essay even further.

Step 5: Add Personal Reflection

In addition to presenting your goals and action plans, be sure to include personal reflections throughout your essay. Explain why achieving these goals is meaningful to you and how they align with your values and aspirations. By sharing your personal insights and emotions, you will create a more engaging and authentic essay.

Step 6: Edit and Proofread

Before submitting your essay, it is crucial to edit and proofread your work. Review your essay for any errors, both grammatical and typographical. Ensure that your ideas are coherent and logical, and that your writing flows smoothly. Consider using online grammar checkers or seeking assistance from a professional editor if needed.

Writing an essay about achieving your goals allows you to reflect on your aspirations, establish a concrete plan, and demonstrate your determination to succeed. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a compelling essay that effectively communicates your goals and motivates both yourself and your readers.

How to Write an Essay About My Goal: A Comprehensive Guide

In the ever-evolving journey of life, setting clear objectives and ambitions is crucial. Whether these goals are short-term or stretch into the far reaches of our future, they act as guiding lights in our journey. This guide will assist you in articulating and expressing these ambitions effectively, especially when it comes to writing them down.

Understanding the Importance of Goal Setting

Setting life goals is a combination of introspection and foresight. It demands an understanding of one's current standing and a clear vision for the future. By penning down your goals, you not only provide yourself a clear road map but also make a commitment to yourself to achieve them.

How To Write An Essay About My Life Goals

Introduction : Initiate with an engaging hook—be it a quote, question, or anecdote—that aligns with your goal.
State your main goal : Elucidate on what your primary life objective is. Be it professional success, personal achievement, or societal contribution, clarify your aim.
The 'Why' behind the goal : Delve into your motivations. Discuss the driving forces behind this ambition.
Steps to achieve : Provide a roadmap. Enumerate the steps you'd undertake to transform this goal into a reality.
Potential Challenges : Highlight potential obstacles and your strategies to navigate them.
Conclusion : Summarize and re-emphasize your dedication towards your objective.

Career Goal Essay Definition

It's essential to differentiate between life goals and career goals. While the former encompasses broader objectives, a career goal essay underscores your professional aspirations, detailing why they matter and how you plan to attain them.

How Long is a Professional Goal Statement?

A professional goal statement's length can vary but should be concise. Ranging typically from 500 to 1000 words, it should capture your aspirations succinctly. Always adhere to specific guidelines if provided.

What to Avoid While Writing Your Career Goal Essay

• Ambiguity: Always be specific. • Unsubstantiated lofty goals: Your ambitions should be grounded in reality. • Neglecting personal growth: Showcase how your past has shaped your future. • Reiteration: Stay succinct and steer clear of repetition.

My Future Goals Essay: 12 Models

Entrepreneurial Aspirations : Launching a sustainable fashion startup by 2030.
Technological Goals : Developing an AI-driven community healthcare system.
Educational Objectives : Attaining a Ph.D. in Quantum Physics.
Artistic Pursuits : Holding a solo art exhibition in a renowned gallery.
Societal Contributions : Establishing a foundation for underprivileged children's education.
Scientific Aspirations : Contributing to renewable energy research.
Medical Goals : Becoming a pediatric surgeon and researching rare childhood diseases.
Travel Objectives : Visiting every UNESCO World Heritage site.
Sports Ambitions : Completing an Ironman Triathlon.
Literary Goals : Publishing a trilogy of fantasy novels.
Environmental Aims : Pioneering a city-wide recycling initiative.
Leadership Aspirations : Becoming the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

Articulating one's life and career goals requires introspection, clarity, and foresight. This guide offers a structured blueprint to ensure your essay not only adheres to academic standards but genuinely resonates with your aspirations and dreams. Whether you're grappling with questions like "what should I write in my college essay?" or "how to draft a goal statement?", this guide is here to light the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal structure for a future career essay? Start with an engaging introduction about your aspirations. In the body, detail the steps you plan to take, experiences that have guided you, and why you chose this career. End with a conclusion summarizing your determination and future vision.
How do I ensure my career goals essay stands out? Incorporate personal stories or experiences that shaped your goals. Be specific about your aspirations and how you plan to achieve them.
How can I relate my past experiences to my future career in the essay? Highlight skills, lessons, or challenges from your past and demonstrate how they have directed or prepared you for your future career.
What should I avoid when writing an essay about my career goals? Avoid being too vague about your goals. Steer clear of clichés, and ensure your goals are realistic and grounded.
How long should my essay about my goal be? This depends on the requirement. Usually, personal statements are between 500-700 words. Always adhere to the specified word limit.
Can I include short-term and long-term goals in my essay? Absolutely! Detailing both shows planning and vision. Highlight how short-term goals will pave the way for long-term objectives.
How do I conclude my essay about my goals effectively? Reiterate your dedication to these goals, reflect on the journey ahead, and end with a note of optimism and determination.

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Essay on Goals in Life

Students are often asked to write an essay on Goals in Life in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Goals in Life

Introduction.

Goals in life are like a compass, guiding us towards our desired destination. They provide a sense of direction and purpose, helping us focus and organize our efforts efficiently.

Importance of Goals

Goals are important as they motivate us to strive for success. They make us resilient, enabling us to overcome obstacles and challenges that may come our way.

Types of Goals

Goals can be short-term or long-term. Short-term goals are achievable quickly, while long-term goals require time and persistent effort.

In conclusion, setting goals is essential for personal growth and success. Always remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish.

250 Words Essay on Goals in Life

Life is a journey filled with opportunities and challenges. Goals, acting as navigational tools, direct our path through this journey, providing focus, motivation, and a sense of purpose. They are the stepping stones to achieving our ambitions, and they shape our personal, academic, and professional lives.

The Importance of Setting Goals

Setting goals is integral to our growth and progress. They serve as a blueprint for our future, guiding our actions and decisions. Goals foster resilience, as they urge us to persevere despite setbacks. They also encourage self-development, pushing us to acquire new skills and knowledge.

Goals can be broadly classified into short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals act as immediate milestones, while long-term goals shape our vision for the future. Balancing both is crucial, as short-term goals often pave the way to long-term accomplishments.

Goal Setting and Achievement

Effective goal setting requires specificity, measurability, attainability, relevance, and timeliness (SMART). This approach ensures our goals are realistic and achievable. Moreover, consistent evaluation and adjustment of our goals is essential, as it allows us to stay aligned with our evolving aspirations and circumstances.

In conclusion, goals are fundamental to our life’s journey. They provide direction, foster resilience, and encourage personal growth. Balancing short-term and long-term goals, along with effective goal-setting strategies, can lead us to success. Ultimately, it is through setting and achieving our goals that we write our own life story.

500 Words Essay on Goals in Life

Goals are the compass that guides us through life, providing direction and purpose. They are the stepping stones towards achieving our ultimate dreams and aspirations. Goals, whether personal, professional, or academic, are significant as they shape our lives, fuel our ambition, and give us a sense of accomplishment.

Setting goals is a fundamental component to long-term success. The basic reason for this is the ability of goals to create a bridge between our present and our desired future. They serve as motivators, pushing us to step out of our comfort zones, face challenges, and strive for improvement. Goals act as a roadmap, providing clarity and focus, enabling us to make informed decisions and avoid distractions.

Goals also foster resilience, as they often require sustained effort and dedication. They teach us the value of perseverance, as the journey towards achieving them is usually filled with obstacles and setbacks. However, these challenges serve to strengthen us, enhancing our problem-solving skills and fostering personal growth.

Goals can be broadly categorized into short-term and long-term goals. Short-term goals are immediate objectives that can be achieved within a relatively short timeframe. These could range from completing a project, passing an exam, or learning a new skill.

Long-term goals, on the other hand, are more extensive and require a significant amount of time and effort. Examples include obtaining a degree, launching a successful career, or buying a house. Short-term goals often serve as stepping stones towards the achievement of long-term goals.

Goal Setting Strategies

Effective goal setting requires thought and planning. One popular method is the SMART framework, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This approach encourages us to set goals that are clear and precise, have a defined timeline, are realistically attainable, and align with our broader life objectives.

Another crucial aspect of goal setting is maintaining flexibility. Life is unpredictable, and circumstances can change unexpectedly. Therefore, it’s essential to be adaptable and open to modifying our goals as needed.

In conclusion, goals are integral to our lives. They provide us with a sense of direction, motivate us to strive for improvement, and offer a sense of accomplishment when achieved. Whether they are short-term or long-term, personal or professional, goals give our lives purpose and meaning. Therefore, the process of setting and achieving goals is a lifelong journey that leads to personal growth and fulfillment.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Essay on Yoga a Way of Life
Essay on The Day I Decided to Change My Life
Essay on Parents Role in Our Life

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

10 SMART goal examples for your whole life

Jump to section

What are SMART goals?

Where do smart goals come from, how to use smart goals to improve your career, 10 examples of smart goals, 8 extra tips for using smart goals.

Setting goals is the first step to reaching them

If you want to make progress on your aspirations, it pays to be SMART. Setting goals isn’t something you should rush into without an action plan — it requires plenty of thought and purpose.

That’s where the SMART goal-setting method comes in handy. It lays the groundwork to achieve personal desires, business targets, and professional development milestones.

This tried-and-true method requires effort, but detailed SMART goal examples can provide inspiration to get you started. Use these examples and step-by-step instructions as a springboard to write your own SMART goals. Soon, you’ll know exactly what you need to accomplish your ambitions.

SMART goals follow a specific framework to achieve goals. You can use this method for any type of goal — personal, professional, financial, and more. You can also use the SMART goal framework for short-term and long-term goals .

SMART is an acronym that stands for:

Specific: Your goals should be limited to a single area. Instead of trying to “be a better person,” try focusing on your listening skills or positive self-talk .

Measurable: The goal must align with explicit metrics, such as saving a specific amount of money or qualifying for a particular certification. This indicates when you’ve accomplished your mission.

Attainable: The goal needs to be realistic . Maybe you won’t qualify for the Olympic basketball team, but you could improve your free throw percentage.

Relevant: Goals should move you in the direction of your values, dreams, and ambitions.

Time-bound: Time-based goals create urgency and encourage efficient time management. There must be a due date for completion so you can pace your efforts.

Once you’ve checked all these boxes, you’re left with a detailed goal-setting plan that keeps you focused and headed in the right direction.

Using the SMART goal framework helps direct your actions toward reaching your goals. Framing your plans this way highlights potential challenges, letting you chart a detailed course that accounts for obstacles.

Developing an action plan that works for you can be difficult. But talking to friends or a life coach can help you set goals that will most benefit your future. And it gives you the social support you need to feel motivated and stay accountable.

Goal-setting theories and studies have been around for quite some time, but we have George T. Doran to thank for the SMART acronym and its accompanying goal framework. Building on existing goal-setting theory , Doran published his method in 1981 for use in business and management.

When he came up with the framework, many US businesses weren’t effectively setting goals or implementing successful planning processes. Doran used his framework to ensure managers had a solid template for creating meaningful, detailed objectives, such as increasing profitability and setting team benchmarks.

Doran’s original acronym stood for Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic, and Time-related, focusing on delegating tasks in a corporate structure. It has since been adapted to fit a wide range of personal and professional ambitions.

Fast-forward to the present, and thousands of organizations and individuals use the SMART goal-setting method to achieve all manner of organizational and life goals.

Setting SMART goals for work can further your career development . Learning how to set goals and achieve them is an invaluable skill. They can be about improving, increasing, developing, or controlling outcomes at work. By creating these goals, you’re showing that you care about finding purpose in your career and are willing to put in the time and energy to do so.

Multi-ethnic-business-group-applauding-in-meeting-smart-goals-examples

For example, imagine you’re starting at a new company as an entry-level employee. If you want to become part of management one day, you need to set detailed goals to get there. You’ll have to learn the necessary leadership skills , what warrants a promotion , and how many steps there are in the employee ladder.

Your goals should help you visualize precisely where you want to be and the path you must take. A practical SMART goals chart a worthwhile action plan to get you there.

Before setting your own professional and personal goals , it may help to see some practical examples for work and life. Take note of these leadership, personal development , and work goals :

1. SMART goal for running a marathon

Specific: I’d like to start training every day to run a marathon.
Measurable: I will use a fitness tracking device to track my training progress as my mileage increases.
Attainable: I’ve already run a half-marathon this year and have a solid baseline fitness level.
Relevant: I value my health and wellness, and this fitness goal will help me sustain that.
Time-bound: The marathon is in June of next year, so I must be ready by then.

2. SMART goal for writing a book

Specific: I have an idea for a story, and I want to turn it into a novel.
Measurable: It should be at least 100,000 words long, and I want to spend at least three hours each day working on it.
Attainable: I’m retired, so I have more time for this project. I am an avid reader and writer, so I know what makes a good story and a compelling read.
Relevant: Reading and writing have always been a passion of mine, which motivates me to become an author myself.
Time-bound: I’ll start writing in the first week of July and finish my first draft by December.

Business-woman-writing-new-book-smart-goals-examples

3. SMART goal for building a better relationship

Specific: I want to build a better relationship with my father, in which I’m more aware of his well-being.
Measurable: I’ll talk to him over the phone twice weekly and meet up for breakfast every Sunday. I will set reminders on my phone to check in with him about the life events he mentions.
Attainable: We live close to each other, and I recently improved my work-life balance , meaning I will have the necessary time and energy to dedicate to our relationship.
Relevant: I want to strengthen our bond, build autonomy in relationships, and understand my family members more, starting with him.
Time-bound: I will call him this Friday and ask him to breakfast. I will maintain this plan until the end of the month and then set new goals for the end of the year.

4. SMART goal example for a side business

Specific: I will start a side business selling flowers from my garden.
Measurable: I’ll spend at least two hours daily planning and marketing my business.
Attainable: I used to sell home-grown vegetables, so I already have the equipment, knowledge, and reputation to get my business off the ground.
Relevant: I love growing plants and sharing them with others, plus it would earn me extra money.
Time-bound: I’ll start working on my marketing plans and growing my flowers to be ready for sale by July.

5. SMART goal example for increasing sales

Specific: I’ll learn new sales techniques to improve my work performance.
Measurable: My goal is to double my sales from their current rate. I’ll keep a log of my current sales that directly compares to my sales at this time last year so I know whether I’m on track.
Attainable: I’ve been a sales associate for two years now. I know the basics, and I’m ready to learn more.
Relevant: I want to feel more confident at my job and learn new skills . This would put me in a better position for a promotion.
Time-bound: Tomorrow, I’ll start doing a LinkedIn webinar course on sales tactics, and I’ll implement them on Monday. I have four months to see results.

6. SMART goal for becoming a better leader at work

Specific: I’ll ensure my team members can count on me by becoming a better leader . I want them to trust me and enjoy working for me.
Measurable: I’ll survey my team members each week to compare how supported they feel. The standardized form will contain multiple-choice questions ranking satisfaction from one to five. In addition, I’ll include an open-ended section for nuanced feedback.
Attainable: I’ve been in this position for six months now, and I have management experience from my prior job.
Relevant: As our company grows, I want to ensure that I’m supporting my team so they can learn and grow, too. If I’m a better leader, everyone’s work will become easier and more efficient.
Time-bound: I’ll improve my average scores on each metric by 2 points by the end of this quarter. This will ensure I’m a better leader when the company takes on new projects and hires more staff.

7. SMART goal for establishing better communication at work

Specific: I’ll help my remote team communicate more effectively to streamline workflow.
Measurable: I’ll use Slack channels to organize team communication , monitor how often they’re used, and track team productivity .
Attainable: We are all tech-savvy and understand that communication skills are essential for a team , so I’d like to strengthen those abilities.
Relevant: Our company will remain remote for the foreseeable future, so we need to get better at communicating entirely online with one another.
Time-bound: I will send Slack invites to everyone tomorrow morning. In a month, I’ll ask everyone how they feel about team communication and review my metrics.

Cheerful-business-people-standing-by-office-smart-goals-examples

8. SMART goal for improving emotional regulation

Specific: I will gain better control over my emotions and feel calmer.
Measurable: I’ll write in my journal each night and rate my mood. Every Friday, I’ll review my feelings and thoughts from the week.
Attainable: Journaling is free, easy, and takes little time. I’ve been working on mindfulness , so I know I have the awareness to track my emotions.
Relevant: I’ve started seeing a therapist, and they have encouraged me to set goals related to my well-being.
Time-bound: I’m getting my degree and entering the workforce in three months. I want to improve my mood and stress tolerance before then to prepare for my new position.

9. SMART goal for waking up earlier

Specific: I want to wake up earlier to have more time for my morning routine.
Measurable: I’ll track how many times I snooze my alarm and when I finish my morning routine.
Attainable: My schedule allows me to go to sleep early , so I can still maintain at least eight hours of sleep.
Relevant: I feel rushed trying to get to work each day. Developing better sleep hygiene would help me feel calm.
Time-bound: In four weeks, I want to wake up two hours earlier than when I usually wake up now.

10. SMART goal of learning French

Specific: I want to learn how to have conversations in French to better communicate with my fiancée’s relatives.
Measurable: I’ll use a daily language-learning app to hold me accountable and track my progress.
Attainable: I know French speakers that I can practice with.
Relevant: I can’t communicate with my in-laws very well now since they only speak French, and I’d like to deepen our relationship.
Time-bound: I want to be able to hold a conversation in French in a year, in time for my wedding day.

Some people struggle with goal setting , and that’s okay. Take comfort in knowing this is a skill you can grow. Your first goal might not be detailed enough, or your measurement system may prove inadequate. Even an objective that doesn’t meet all the SMART criteria is still a learning opportunity.

Each time you set a goal, you’ll learn what practices work best for you and which ones to avoid.

Smiling-businesswoman-smart-goals-examples

Here are eight tips for using the SMART goal-setting framework:

Keep it simple: You may struggle to make large-scale or long-term goals specific enough to fit into this framework. For example, a career change or lifestyle shift may be too nebulous to tackle all at once. If your goals feel too big, break them into more achievable short-term goals to keep you moving forward.
Treat yourself: Sometimes, you’ll need more than just the satisfaction of a job well done. Reward yourself as you reach milestones, giving you something to look forward to.
Goals aren’t one-size-fits-all: The same metrics, time constraints, and motivations may not work for every goal you set. Welcome a different approach for work, personal, and health goals .
Ask yourself why: Before you set off on any significant goal, take time to introspect. If your Relevant statement is “because I want to” or “because I should,” step back and reevaluate. Determine what you hope to gain, and you’ll learn how to better motivate yourself .
Know your limits: To set attainable goals, make sure they fit your abilities and values. If a task is far outside your range of capabilities, it might be a good idea to set smaller goals along the way.
Write it down: Ambitions won’t become a reality if they stay in your head. Writing out each of the SMART statements reminds you of why you’re working so hard. In addition, write out your time frame in a calendar or planner to track progress and minimize procrastination.
Stay flexible: No plan is perfect. It may become evident that your initial trajectory won’t lead to a successful outcome, and staying the course would only mean wasted effort. Don’t be afraid to adjust or reset your action plan if things aren’t working out.
Learn from setbacks: Obstacles provide an opportunity to learn and grow. Take time to evaluate what went wrong so you can become even more effective. But know when to move on. Once you’ve learned from your struggle, don’t continue to dwell on it.

Setting SMART goals is the first step to reaching them

Hopefully these SMART goal examples for work and life have inspired you to try setting some goals of your own. After all, measuring your goals provides a clear path to achieving them. It’s hard to gauge progress without metrics. If you can’t tell whether you’re on the right track, you won’t know if and when you need to course-correct.

Closely tracking your goals also helps you manage your energy . They can show you when you’re tired and need a break or when your motivation typically spikes.

SMART objectives support your future self. Just remember: all progress is progress. If you’re struggling to measure something abstract, such as being kinder to those around you, that’s normal. Regularly check in with yourself to see if you feel like you’ve grown, and be proud of yourself for trying.

Reach your goals with SMART guidance

Explore personal and professional growth with a coach who tailors guidance to your SMART goals.

Madeline Miles

Madeline is a writer, communicator, and storyteller who is passionate about using words to help drive positive change. She holds a bachelor's in English Creative Writing and Communication Studies and lives in Denver, Colorado. In her spare time, she's usually somewhere outside (preferably in the mountains) — and enjoys poetry and fiction.

Get SMART about your goals at work and start seeing results

Create smart kpis to strategically grow your business, setting smart health goals: be clever about your well-being, empower your work with stretch goals (plus examples), 8 examples for setting professional development goals at work, long-term versus short-term goals: use both to succeed, habit stacking: what it is and 5 examples, stop wasting your time learn to balance hard work vs. smart work, working smarter, not harder: 15 tips for making it real, similar articles, do goal statements actually work find out here, 12 ambition examples that’ll inspire your goal-setting, top 15 professional goals and how to achieve them, goal-setting theory: why it’s important, and how to use it at work, a goal for each part of your life: 13 types of goals that you need to set, young men lag in developing this key skill that’s linked to achievement and success, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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The Smart Goal-Setting Process: Motivation and Empowerment Essay

Introduction, smart objectives, smart career goals.

SMART goal-setting was first introduced by Dr. Edwin Locke in the 1960s (Griffin, 2017). According to Locke, setting goals that fit into the SMART criteria provided motivation and empowerment to people, which was crucial to ensure that the goals are achieved (Griffin, 2017). Today, SMART criteria are applied to the goal-setting process in many organizations, regardless of their size and area of business. The rules are universal and can also be applied to personal goals, which makes them an excellent tool for developing a career plan.

The first criterion emphasizes that goals need to be specific and relevant to the desired outcome (Joseph, 2017). Setting general goals may reduce motivation, as the path to achieving them becomes unclear (Joseph, 2017).

In order to achieve success in pursuing a goal, there has to be a way to measure success, which is why the second point of SMART goals theory is that the goals need to be measurable (Joseph, 2017). By measuring success, it is possible to monitor the progress towards the goal, which ultimately improves motivation.

The third criterion to be applied to goals is attainability. A goal that is impossible to achieve becomes a burden rather than an opportunity, as all the efforts put in by the person will not help him or her to attain the goal. If the goal is achievable, on the other hand, it is possible to devise a clear strategy to ensure that it is reached.

The next criterion emphasizes the need for the goal to be realistic, which means that a goal has to be set with consideration of the current circumstances. If the goal is set too high comparing to the current career level, reaching it will be hardly possible.

The final stage of goal-setting is ensuring that the goals are time-bound. Setting a definite time limit by which the goal has to be achieved creates a sense of urgency, which may become a substantial motivating factor.

My ultimate aim is to become a Registered Nurse. However, there are three main stages that have to be completed before I can reach the desired position.

Stage One: Graduate from Regis Health Care Administration

The first step in my career plan is to graduate from Regis College with a degree in Health Care Administration. In order to do that, I need to complete all of the program requirements and courses, which is a specific objective. The goal can be easily measured, and the result of completing the goal will be receiving a Diploma that marks the successful ending of the course. I believe that this aim is also attainable, as I am working towards completing the course and so far my grades have been acceptable. Completing this stage of the plan is realistic, as the goal is set based on my current level of education and abilities. Finally, the expected time of completion is Summer 2018, which makes the goal time-bound.

Stage Two: Enroll in an Accelerated Nursing Program

After I receive my certificate in Health Care Administration, I will need to enroll in a nursing program to continue my nursing education. I plan on applying for an accelerated nursing program at Regis, Metro, or Denver School, which is a specific objective. Acceptance into the program will be the ultimate measure of success, which means that the goal is measurable. It is also attainable and realistic, as it is the next step after I graduate from my HCA program; I am aware of the requirements of these schools and believe that I can attain the results needed for acceptance. Finally, the anticipated start of the program is in Fall 2018, which sets a specific time limit for the goal.

Stage Three: Work as an RN in Sandalwood Rehabilitation Center

The ultimate goal of my career plan is to achieve an RN position at Sandalwood Rehabilitation Center, where I currently work as a CNA. This aim is specific, as it mentions the position and place of work. The goal is also measurable, as I will know when I receive this position. The goal is attainable, as I have been successful in my work here so far and I believe that upon completion of the nursing course, I will be accepted to work as an RN. The aim is also realistic as I understand the requirements of the position and the path to achieving certification. Finally, the time limit of the goal will be estimated as soon as I complete the second stage of the plan, as it depends on the length of the nursing program that I will complete. As soon as I receive the certification, I believe it will take me up to six months to gain an RN position.

Overall, I believe that separating my career plan into three SMART goals is a useful practice to gain more understanding of how to achieve the ultimate career aim. SMART goal-setting ensures that the goals are not unrealistic, which provides more motivation to work towards the goals. I feel that my current abilities and the chosen path of development will help me to reach my final goal and to receive an RN position at Sandalwood Rehabilitation Center.

Griffin, D. (2017). The SMART goal-setting process . Web.

Joseph, C. (2017). Elements of S.M.A.R.T. goal setting . Web.

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IvyPanda . 2020. "The Smart Goal-Setting Process: Motivation and Empowerment." September 13, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-smart-goal-setting-process/.

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Bibliography

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How to Set SMART Goals

A template to help clarify your mental health goals

Mark Stibich, PhD, FIDSA, is a behavior change expert with experience helping individuals make lasting lifestyle improvements.

Carly Snyder, MD is a reproductive and perinatal psychiatrist who combines traditional psychiatry with integrative medicine-based treatments.

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Parts of the Goal
Do They Work?
Using in Therapy
Making Them Stick
Next in The End of the Resolution Guide Dry January: The Benefits of a Month Without Alcohol

Setting SMART goals in therapy or at home helps you define your intentions and put them into practice. The acronym “SMART” means that a goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound.

When you’re trying to make changes in your life, setting SMART goals can give you a sense of ownership and personal importance, which helps you stay motivated to make the changes stick.

SMART goals are often used in healthcare, including mental healthcare, but they can also be used in business and educational settings.

At a Glance

We've all set and failed to follow through on New Year's resolutions at some point in our lives. It's nothing to be ashamed of—all we can do is try to set ourselves up for success.

SMART goals are a strategy you can use to help you define a change you want to make and come up with a plan that will help you achieve it. SMART goals are used in all kinds of settings, including therapy, but can be a very effective method to get over the usual everyday struggles of following through on any goal.

SMART: Breaking Down the Parts of the Goal

The letters in “SMART” tell you that the goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. But what does each of those words mean in practice?

Let’s look at an example. You’ve noticed that you’re not feeling rested and want to make sleep more of a priority in your life. Here’s how setting SMART goals can help.

Specific: You make a clear goal instead of coming up with something general. For example, if you want to “go to bed earlier,” that’s a vague goal. To make it specific, you could say, “I want to go to bed by 9 o'clock every night.”
Measurable: You need to be able to track your progress and know when you’ve met your goal. So, going to bed every night at 9 is a goal you can measure. You could mark your calendar or use a goal-tracking app to check off each night that you get to bed on time.
Attainable: Your goal needs to be something you can reasonably do. A goal of going to bed at 9 every night would not be realistic if you work the night shift—in fact, it would probably be impossible.
Relevant: Your goal needs to matter to you and fit into your life and values. If you want to make your health more of a priority, a goal like getting better sleep could be part of making that change.
Time-bound: Your goals need a deadline or at least a timeline. Setting an endpoint helps keep you motivated. So, if you want to fix your sleep hygiene, you could say, “I want to go to bed by 9 every night for the next month” and see how you do. By then, the new routine might have already become a habit.

Why Do SMART Goals Work?

One reason that SMART goals are a popular method is that research has shown they are an effective tool for people who want to make health-related changes in their lives.

Even if you’re very motivated to make changes, it can still be challenging. Setting a SMART goal breaks down the path you have to take into smaller parts—those five factors represented by the letters—and lets you think carefully about each step.

A SMART goal gives you clear, actionable steps and a predetermined endpoint, at which time you’ll stop and reflect to see if your plan needs to be adjusted.

Types of Goals

Some goals seem more likely to succeed than others. For example, “approach” goals tend to be more effective than “avoidance” goals. In other words, try to set a goal for an action that you want to take rather than one you do not want to take.

Research has also shown that “performance" goals may be less effective than "mastery" goals. A performance goal is one where you try to achieve a specific outcome—a common example would be something like “I want to lose 20 pounds.” A mastery goal is one where you learn a new skill or build on an ability you already have—for example, “I will walk every night for 30 minutes after dinner.”

When challenges come up in trying to meet a mastery goal, they are often seen as a natural part of the goal-achievement process. These challenges encourage problem-solving and active engagement.

For example, if your goal is to walk every night after dinner but work tasks have kept you from meeting that goal, you may change up your routine so you can take a walk on your lunch break because it will help you meet your goal.

On the other hand, not reaching a performance goal can feel like a failure because it involves judgment. Think about a goal of losing 20 pounds. If you don’t lose exactly 20 pounds, you may feel defeated and like you’ve failed to meet your goal, even if you’ve succeeded in making some changes to your lifestyle.

If you have a performance goal in mind, it can be easier to break it down into smaller, mastery-based goals in specific, measurable ways. For example, if you want to lose 20 pounds, you could break that goal down into making dietary changes and increasing your physical activity.

You can certainly set SMART goals on your own, but you may also want to use them in therapy. Your therapist may also suggest using SMART goals if you’re having trouble getting more detailed and specific about a life change you want to make.

Possible Downsides of SMART Goals

A possible downside of SMART goals is that they can be too specific. For example, let’s say you’ve been having panic attacks every day. You set a goal to have no more than three panic attacks per week. You start working on your goal by using the techniques you’re learning in therapy when you’re feeling anxious.

After a few weeks, you are consistently using these tools to cope with anxiety, and you’re no longer having daily panic attacks—but you’re still having them four or five times a week.

Since you did not meet your exact goal of three a week or less, you feel like you’ve failed even though you’ve made great progress and greatly improved how you deal with anxiety. In this case, setting a very specific goal might have worked against you.

Here are some examples of how you can use SMART goals, either in therapy or on your own.

S: Specific

Think about your overall goals and narrow down your goal to be as specific as possible.
“Being less anxious” is a common goal for therapy, for example, but it’s a little too general. How can you make a goal like that more specific?
Create a statement for your goal that helps you define it clearly. You may even want to write it down. For example, you might say, “I want to reduce my anxiety attacks to three a week or less.”

M: Measurable

Adding measurable (quantifiable) criteria to your goal helps you keep track of your progress.
Brainstorm some ways that you can visualize each step of the process. Not only will this help you stay motivated, but accountability can also discourage you from cutting corners.
Calendars, phone apps, and journaling are all strategies you can use to track your goals.
For example, if you’re trying to reduce stress , your goal might be to take 10-minute meditation breaks twice a day. You can use an app or a notebook to log your meditation sessions and stress levels each day. If you're in therapy, you and your therapist can look at your records and track your progress.
Keeping track can also help you see if you need to make any changes to your goals as you go along. You’ll be able to pick out trends, such as situations that cause you more stress, so that you can avoid them or respond to them differently.

A: Attainable

While you might want to “dream big” when you’re first thinking about your goals, it is helpful to take those large goals and break them down into smaller ones.
If you're working with a therapist, they can also help guide you away from setting unattainable goals . Your goals can be ambitious, but they should not be impossible. You want to choose a goal that you are confident that you can reach, but that will also challenge you to follow through with smaller, more attainable actions that are needed to achieve it.
Think about what support and resources you need to realistically achieve your goal. For example, do you have the time or supplies needed for the goal? If you don’t right now, can you get them?

R: Relevant

Does each step of the goal-reaching process make sense and matter to you? It can help to talk with a therapist about why you want to make a specific change or set a specific goal. How does it fit into your life?
Your goal should feel important and inspiring to you. If you don’t feel like the goal matters, you won’t be very motivated or invested in trying to get there.
Sometimes, you may have to reframe a goal to make it more relevant to you. For example, maybe you know that reducing your anxiety would have benefits for your mental and physical health, but those benefits feel too vague to be motivating. Instead, it might help to think about how lowering your stress levels would help you enjoy spending time with your loved ones or get back to a hobby that you enjoy.
Keep in mind that nobody else can set goals for you. Ultimately, you are the one who will decide what goals to set.

T: Time-Bound

Make a timeline for when you want to reach your goal. The timeframe should be realistic but not too far into the future.
For example, if you want to use techniques you learn in therapy to reduce stress so you’re having fewer than three anxiety attacks per week, you might give yourself one month to achieve that goal.
Once you get to the endpoint, you can review your process and see what worked well and what didn’t. Then, you can revise your strategy and set a new goal.

SMART Goal Template

Here’s a template you can use to define your SMART goal:

"I will [your goal here] by [how you will do the goal] . I will know I am making progress because [how you will measure the goal] for [time goes here] .”

For example, "I will reduce my anxiety attacks to three times a week or less by using anxiety management techniques I learn in therapy when I’m feeling anxious. I will do this for the next month and track my progress in my journal.”

How to Make SMART Goals Stick

Once you’ve set and achieved a SMART goal, here are some tips that will help make it stick:

Write your goal down and go back to it often.
Keep in mind that life happens. Making adjustments to your goal is part of the learning process. Don't beat yourself up if something has to change. Instead, look at your progress and your goals. Did you miss a step? Is something not working? If you see a stumbling block, readjust your plan and goal and jump right back in.
Don’t set yourself up for failure by taking on too much or setting a goal that you probably will not be able to reach. Be realistic about your expectations.
Focus on process goals instead of just the outcome. An outcome gives you a target, but it does not address how you will reach the goal. Think about changing behaviors and habits.
If you want to make sustainable lifestyle changes, setting longer-term goals helps you keep the big picture in mind. You can still break down a long-term goal into smaller, short-term goals that will be easier to track.
Remember that someone else's goals are not your goals. Your goals have to be meaningful and attainable for you.

Nelis SM, Thom JM, Jones IR, Hindle JV, Clare L. Goal-setting to promote a healthier lifestyle in later life: Qualitative evaluation of the AgeWell Trial . Clin Gerontol . 2018;41(4):335-345. doi:10.1080/07317115.2017.1416509

Bailey RR. Goal setting and action planning for health behavior change . Am J Lifestyle Med . 2017;13(6):615-618. doi:10.1177/1559827617729634

Banner University Health Plans. SMART goals cheat sheet .

Bronikowski M, Bronikowska M, Maciaszek J, Glapa A. Maybe it is not a goal that matters: a report from a physical activity intervention in youth. J Sports Med Phys Fitness . 2018;58(3):348-355. doi:10.23736/S0022-4707.16.06611-1.

Bryant, Cedric PhD, Green, Daniel. ACE Health Coach Manual . San Diego California, American Council on Exercise. 2013

Muth, Natalie, MD. Green, Daniel. Coaching Behavior Change . San Diego California, American Council on Exercise. 2019

Raggatt M, Wright CJC, Carrotte E, et al. "I aspire to look and feel healthy like the posts convey": engagement with fitness inspiration on social media and perceptions of its influence on health and wellbeing . BMC Public Health . 2018;18(1):1002. doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5930-7.

Happy 2024! We hope this year will be full of writing for you—and if you’re like us, you’ve even got writing goals among your New Year’s Resolutions.

One thing to consider is that not all goals are created equal . Goals can be fuzzy (“I want to write more”), over-ambitious, or have lots of other issues.

To help, people who think about this sort of thing have come up with a great system for goal-setting: SMART. Based on that system, here’s some simple advice for the goal-setting writer in each of us.

If you’re serious about your writing in 2024, check out our online writing courses . They’ll keep you accountable to concrete writing goals, with the mentorship of award-winning instructors, and in a supportive community of like-minded and passionate writers. They’re the perfect environment to get your best writing done.

SMART is an acronym, and it’s one of those cool acronyms where the word it forms describes the thing the acronym is about.

SMART is a good acronym. Not like this one.

What “SMART” Stands For

SMART is all about the properties of a good (“smart”) goal.

It stands for:

Specific. Make your goal or objective as specific as possible. Say exactly what you want to achieve in clear, concise words.
Measurable. Include a unit of measure in your goal. Be objective rather than subjective. When will your goal be achieved? How will you know it has been achieved?
Achievable. Be realistic. Ensure that your goal is feasible in terms of the resources available to you.
Relevant. Your goals should align with your values and long-term objectives.
Time-bound. Give yourself a deadline within a year. Include a timeframe such as a week, month or year, and include a specific date if possible.

( See here and here for more on these descriptions.)

A Few Examples of Non-SMART Writing Goals

Here are some draft goals (or resolutions) that might not fit within the SMART framework:

“I really want to finish my novel.” (Not specific.)
“I’ll write lots more this year.” (Not measurable.)
“I’ll write 20,000 words every week this year.” (Not achievable???)
“I feel like I should start writing again.” (Why?)
“I hereby commit that I’m going to work on my memoir until it’s finished.” (When? Not time-bound.)

A Few Examples of SMART Writing Goals

And here are some examples of draft goals or resolutions that would fit within the SMART framework:

“I will finish my novel manuscript by the end of the year.”
“I’ll set aside 15 minutes in the morning to write, at least 5 days a week.”
“I’ll have an outline of my memoir completed by July 1.”

A Few Thoughts on “Relevant” (the R in SMART Goals)

Each of these feel like good goal-setting elements in general, but what really stands out to me is R, Relevant. This is a chance to ask: What does this writing goal, resolution, project, or process mean to me ? How is it part of the life I wish to live?

This is certainly worth reflecting on. In my experience, knowing why I write can help a huge amount with the how and when.

Our reasons for writing will—of course—be different for each of us. With that in mind, I’ll offer that, in my view, having the chance to share our humanity with one another through written language is one of the great gifts of life. So whatever your reason is, I know it’s a good one.

Here’s to a wonderful and writerful 2024!

Frederick Meyer

Writing truly an amazing way to give life in the form of tangible memories or basic ideas…therapeutic for sure…to the ones conveying and the ones receiving it…my blood my brows sweat the ink to my pen!!! The countless pages in the form of sheets of many types..from paper bags to napkins to the parts of my skin for my canvas that waits to be outlined into the intensity of a kaleidoscope of emotions dying to come out…to be viewed to be felt in ensuring all types of waking UP’s inside and out every side..especially the parts that are crippled locked jammed in sick stillnesses out of fear of scaring all away leaving us in an awkward mess for doubts set out to stop anything from becoming something!!I would love to leave y’all with something I came across a year in my 3 years and 3 month prison term…when nothing could console me..the losses from being free to be a mother to my beautiful three daughter’s aja and naynay and jady..from being able to have the freedom to know I could be free even while incarcerated ..a blessing in disguise because I was dying!!! I’d lost my physical freedom my rights my luxuries.. To just be in my life’s moment’s.. In a Bible a year after not knowing how to deal with all I wanted to get back to… My life!! My girls!! This was in a separate piece of paper within the pages of the only book of life worth referring towards.(THE BIBLE)..this is what the small piece of paper said and I quote!!!” Sometimes you have to let go of all you think you cannot live without in otderTO BE ABLE TO HOLD ONTO WHAT YOU STILL GOT”end quote…it was then..right at that moment that I realized how wise words are imperative&vital and, crucial…how FREEING and helpful they can be .why its important to learn to want to understand… So its wisdom and valuable lesson’s won’t pass you by…words!!! Turned into knowledge for the very power that fuels Gods hope in order to find your way out of the bondage for pessimistic thoughts that have been like a plague…a form of cancer ..poison to your mind’s abilities& capabilities,and capacity to break out and awayyyyyy..!! and see all through!!! Yea…its not how much you write its what you write about and owning your own style of how to go about!!! Write on!!!! Right on!!! Sincerely Gypsy skigh blue!! Aka Noemi cazares MY NEW YEARS RESOLUTION… TO BE ABLE TO GIVE LIFE THROUGH WORDS TO ALL IVE EXPERIENCE… SURVIVED WHILE HAVING TO BECOME MANY COOL AND INSANE SAVAGE CHARACTERS IN order TO FINALLY FIND MY WAY TO MY THROWN IN WAITING… A CHAIR IN FRONT OF A DESK OR TABLE WHERE I MAY FINALLY SIT DOWN AND SHARE MY unbelievable MISSIONS IN LIFE!! BECAUSE ITS NO LONGER A JOURNEY.. ITS MY LIFE!! I FINALLY VALUE IT AND UNDERSTAND THE UNSPEAKABLE THE UNREFINED THE rawness OF IT ALL THATS BEEN EVER SO DEEPLY SENSITIVE… LEADING ME MANY TIMES ON THE DEFENSES MAKING IT EASY TO BELIEVE I MUST BE CRAZY… IM NOT BUT WHAT WAS DONE to me and mine AND LATER SAID AGAINST ME TO DECLARE ME FOR SURE insane !!! GOD FORBID THEY LISTEN TO ME…YEA…THAT WAS TRULY CRAZY THEY WERE UNHINGED… BUT SOME HOW THROUGH THE graceful GRACE OF GOD… I SURVIVED IT…SO PEN TO PAPERS…and this is how it soon will go…..God help me always… I’m your mess…I’m not any less….I’m More, more than I allowed myself to become… Thank God!! I’m never alone especially when I was…AMEN!! Amen!!/Amen!!

Everyday I come up with the day’s to-do list and i’ll make sure the followings feature on the list: (a)writing at least two flash fictions (b) editing an old story (c) reading online magazine ,at least two magazines (d) listening to an audio story , at least two short stories

As one who also like programming, i’d including coding as well. is this a clear SMART violation?

I have never really thought about writing stories or anything else related, I just happened to by pass this website but I’m actually considering taking it in for my goals in this coming year.

So thank you for the inspiration and happy new year!

We hope you start writing, Nshuti! Happy New Year!

SMART goals were a part of my life throughout my career as a school administrator. I had forgotten about them until I read this article. More than four years ago, I made the goal of writing every day. Not entirely smart but it is one that I have achieved. As January 1, 2024 approaches, I will got back to my roots and create my SMART goal for the year. Thanks for refreshing my memory.

Topics in English Topics in english to learn and fluent pronunciation and writing and facilitate conversation between you and others, whether in school, work or daily life

My goal in life essay 18 Models

My goal in life essay is one of the important and indispensable essays, and it is asked periodically from students so that they can get to know themselves more. In order to improve their level of expression and description of what they see as the life goals they wish to achieve.

This type of article is required from all educational levels, so we will provide you with several short samples, and long models about my goal in life essay, so that you can understand the topic well.

My goal in life essay

All students have dreams and desires that they strive to achieve. The largest percentage of them may be similar to one of the parents, as parents in many times are the role models for their children. Therefore, we may find that children aspire to achieve some of the goals and achievements that their parents have achieved.

In some other cases, we find some students aspire to achieve their own achievements. And there are students who may have a famous personality to imitate and want to achieve some of the great achievements he has done.

Therefore, we will provide you with a series of different models that include multiple and different cases that are suitable for all students.

My goal in life is to have good health, and practice all the wonderful hobbies that I love before I graduate, work, and start a family and a social life.

I like to practice the hobby of skydiving, diving and traveling to new and wonderful places, and I also like to work in some fun places during summer vacations, such as the beach so that I can work and enjoy and be in places that have a lot of noise and life, getting to know new friends and gaining a lot of experience.

These are the goals I’m planning at this point, they may differ in the future as I could add some serious work, but that’s just what I’m thinking about right now.

There is no doubt that planning is the way to success, we should not let our lives go in a random way. But we must define our goals and know what are the best ways to achieve these goals. Setting goals makes us achieve them in the easiest way and in the shortest time.

My dreams and goals in life essay

My dreams in life are to be a famous football player. I am very fascinated by the Egyptian player, Mohamed Salah, and the Argentine player, Lionel Messi. They have great talent, and they are always keen to develop their skills.

A football player must have high physical skills and physical fitness, because skill and talent are necessary in addition to serious training, and this is what makes a player distinct from another player.

Also, the player’s insistence on improving his level is important to his success and obtaining international awards.

Both Mohamed Salah and Lionel Messi have achieved great success with their clubs, and have won many awards such as the Golden Boot award and the Best Player award and others.

I love to be a famous football player because this game will make me rich and will make me gain people’s love too. There are millions of young people around the world watching the matches of Mohamed Salah or Messi and cheering them on with enthusiasm.

My goals in life as a student essay

My goals at this stage are related to studies. I want to always be in the first place and get the final grades in all subjects because this will give me the opportunity to get a scholarship abroad. This is my goal that I am working hard to achieve.

The opportunity to complete my education abroad is a really good opportunity that every student desires. Therefore, I study my lessons seriously and learn a lot about everything related to my field of study, including research, books and scientific journals.

Also, studying abroad will allow me a better education, as well as obtaining an internationally recognized certificate that I can work with in a prestigious job. Therefore, I do not waste my time on useless things, but focus on my studies in order to achieve my goal.

Certainly, my family has a great advantage, they always encourage me and provide me with everything I need. Also, my teachers have a great credit for my excellence, they help me a lot in my studies.

My goal in life short essay

I have a talent in drawing, since I was a child at the age of seven and I draw cartoon characters skillfully. All my family encourage me and say “You are talented at drawing”.

My teachers praise my paintings and decorate the classroom with them, and my colleagues are surprised when they see my drawings.

I draw in my spare time because drawing is my favorite hobby, but the rest of the time is devoted to studying because I want to excel in my studies as well.

My goal in life is to be a cartoonist or creator of new cartoon characters. Therefore, I am interested in my studies in order to join a prestigious university. My goal is to join the College of Fine Arts, because talent needs academic study in order to grow and develop.

I also go to many exhibitions and museums that include works of art such as paintings or photography because they are very useful for me as I gain new experiences.

Examples of goals in life of a student essay

There is no doubt that having a role model in our lives facilitates many things related to our future. My role model is my father, he is a petroleum engineer and works in one of the international companies. This job is very prestigious and provides him with a great salary. Therefore, in the future, I want to be a petroleum engineer like my father.

This function has many advantages as well as some disadvantages. One of its most important features is the high salary that the engineer receives, and this salary can provide him and his family a life in which there is a large amount of luxury. The most important disadvantage of this job is working in remote places and being away from home for a long time.

But I like to work in this job so that I can buy a beautiful house and a modern car and be able to travel on holidays to different tourist places. My goal at this stage is to study at the College of Engineering, Petroleum Department.

My goals in life paragraph

My goal in life is to be a person of high social standing and to be loved by others. Therefore, I would like to be a doctor in the future, because the doctor’s profession is a great humanitarian profession, through which he helps people and ensures himself a prestigious position and good financial income.

Although there are great risks in the doctor’s profession, as he deals with patients directly and closely, which may expose him to infection and serious diseases, this profession is highly humane because the doctor sacrifices himself in order to save others.

I love to work in this profession, so I work hard in my studies until I study in the Faculty of Medicine. Studying at the Faculty of Medicine is interesting and useful, and studying medicine requires continuous learning and being acquainted with everything new in the medical field, so that the doctor can provide the best medical service to his patients.

My personal goal in life essay

My personal goal in life is to be a fashion designer, this profession requires innovation, and this is what distinguishes me, as I design some clothes for myself or for my relatives.

In fact, all the outfits I designed were so impressive that they said they wouldn’t buy any clothes and I would be their designer.

Fashion design is a fine art and requires a sophisticated taste and information about fashion and the latest designs designed by international fashion houses, with self-reliance and not imitating others.

The fashion designer must also be familiar with the types of fabrics and be able to employ the fabric in an attractive way.

Fashion design needs to be familiar with fashion in terms of the prevailing colors at the time, whether the fabrics are suitable for the temperatures and many other details. Therefore, I am training in a fashion house and I hope to be a famous fashion designer in the future.

My ultimate goal in life essay

Undoubtedly, each of us has a goal that he is trying hard to achieve, and my goal is to be a police officer, because I believe that the job of a police officer is important for the stability and progress of society.

One of the duties of a police officer is to bring security to his community, allowing people to live in peace. Without security, people will not be able to go to work, and there will be no production.

Likewise, the peasants will not be able to cultivate their fields, and thus there will be no crops, vegetables, or fruits, and merchants will not be secure in their trade, and consequently, shops, stores, and others will be closed.

Thus, we see the importance of the police officer’s work, as he maintains the security and safety of the community, and thus everyone can work seriously to increase production and advance the country. Therefore, my goal in life is to be a distinguished police officer.

My goal in life essay for class 6

My goal in life is to be a teacher, thanks to my teacher because she is my role model. She is an excellent teacher who can explain our lessons to us in a simplified manner, in addition to that she treats us well, she listens to our problems and helps us solve them.

My teacher not only teaches me my school lessons, but also teaches me good manners, because all her behavior is good. She always advises us to be superior and to be characterized by good qualities.

I love and respect my teacher, she is just like my mother who is afraid of me and advises me and helps me understand my lessons.

The profession of a teacher is great, as she not only teaches, but also educates and instills in her students noble values. She also helps us in forming our personality and self-reliance. The teacher prepares the future generation.

Essay about goals and dreams in life

I dream of being a successful businessman in the future. Businessmen participate in the country’s development and progress, and provide many job opportunities for young people. My father is my role model in this field.

My father is a successful man, he did not depend on anyone, but he started his working life young until he became a famous businessman. It was a difficult path, but thanks to his determination, he was able to overcome all the problems he encountered.

Therefore, I consider myself more fortunate than my father, as he has a lot of experiences that I can learn from him, and my father paved the way for me, but I want to achieve better than what is expected of me.

Therefore, I’ll study business administration because this will gain me a lot of information and experience. I am also training in one of the companies owned by my father, as this will give me practical experience.

My goals in life as a student – Intended for US students

My goals in life as a student living in the United States are to pursue a career in technology and use my skills to help my family and community.

I believe that technology is the future, and I want to be a part of it. I am passionate about using technology to solve problems and make the world a better place.

I grew up in a family that was not always able to afford the latest technology. However, my parents always encouraged me to learn about technology and how to use it. I am grateful for their support, as it has helped me to develop a strong foundation in technology.

I am now a student at a top university in the United States. I am majoring in computer science, and I am planning to pursue a career in software engineering. I want to use my skills to create innovative products and services that will make a positive impact on the world.

I also want to use my skills to help my family and community. I see how technology can be used to improve people’s lives, and I want to be a part of that. For example, I could use my skills to develop educational apps for children in developing countries, or I could create websites that provide information and resources to people in need.

I am excited about the future, and I am confident that I can achieve my goals. I am committed to using my skills to make a difference in the world.

My goal in life – Intended for US students

My goals in life as a student living in the United States are to become a creative and innovative teacher who loves children.

I have always been passionate about education. I love learning new things, and I believe that everyone has the potential to learn and grow. I am also passionate about children. I love their energy and enthusiasm, and I believe that they are the future.

I grew up in a family that valued education. My parents always encouraged me to learn and to ask questions. They also taught me the importance of helping others. I am grateful for their support, as it has helped me to develop a strong foundation in education and in service to others.

I am currently a student at a top university in the United States. I am majoring in education, and I am planning to pursue a career as a teacher. I want to use my skills to help children learn and grow. I also want to create a classroom that is fun and engaging, where children feel comfortable to take risks and to explore their own potential.

My goal is – Intended for US students

My goals in life as a middle school student living in the United States are to become a creative and innovative teacher who loves children and changes the lives of many children.

I believe that I can make a real difference in the lives of children. I am committed to using my skills to help children learn and grow, and to create a better future for them.

My goal in life is to be successful – Intended for US students

My goals in life as a student living in the United States are to achieve success, become a famous figure that others will read about one day, and be a role model and pride for my family.

I have always been ambitious and driven to succeed. I believe that I have the potential to achieve great things, and I am committed to working hard to achieve my goals.

I am also passionate about making a difference in the world. I believe that everyone has the potential to make a positive impact, and I want to use my skills and talents to make the world a better place.

I know that achieving success will not be easy. It will require hard work, dedication, and perseverance. However, I am confident that I can achieve my goals if I set my mind to it.

Here are some specific examples of how I plan to achieve my goals:

I will focus on my studies and work hard to get good grades.

I will participate in extracurricular activities and clubs to develop my skills and talents.

I will network with other people who can help me achieve my goals.

I believe that if I work hard and never give up on my dreams, I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I am excited to see what the future holds for me, and I am confident that I will make my family proud.

My goals in life as a student – Model for South African students

As a student in secondary school living in South Africa, my goal in life is to achieve success in playing football and try to become a professional player in one of the English clubs. I also want to be a source of pride for my family.

I have been playing football since I was a child. I love the sport and I am passionate about it. I believe that I have the talent and the determination to achieve my goals.

I am currently training hard and I am working on improving my skills. I am also learning about the English Premier League and the clubs that I would like to play for.

I know that it will be difficult to achieve my goals, but I am determined to work hard and never give up. I believe that if I put in the effort, I can achieve anything I set my mind to.

I am also committed to being a good role model for my family and friends. I want to show them that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

I am confident that I can achieve my goals and I am excited to see what the future holds.

My goals in life – Model for South African students

As a student in secondary school living in South Africa, my goal in life is to become a distinguished tour guide and establish my own company, attracting many tourists to see the beautiful side of Africa.

I have always been fascinated by history and culture, and I love sharing my knowledge with others. I believe that South Africa is a beautiful and diverse country with a rich history and culture, and I want to share it with the world.

I am currently studying hard and I am working on improving my knowledge of South African history and culture. I am also learning about the tourism industry and how to run a successful tour company.

My goal in life is to be successful – Model for South African students

I am a middle school student living in South Africa. I come from a large family with many siblings. I want to be a role model for them and achieve success in my country that makes all of my people proud.

I am currently thinking about developing technology that is tailored to South Africa. I believe that I can add something special to the future of my country.

My short-term goals:

To excel in my studies and get into a good university.

To learn more about technology and how it can be used to solve problems.

To get involved in community service and make a difference in the lives of others.

My long-term goals:

To start my own business that uses technology to help people in South Africa.

To become a leader in my community and inspire others to achieve their dreams.

I know that I have a lot of work to do to achieve my goals, but I am determined to make them a reality. I am excited to see what the future holds for me and my country.

What I Want to Achieve in Life Essay – Model for South African Students

I am a university student living in South Africa. I come from a large family with many siblings. I want to be a role model for them and achieve success in my sport that makes all of my people proud.

I am currently training hard to be a top long-distance runner. I believe that I have the potential to be a world champion.

To win the national long-distance running championship.

To be selected for the South African national team.

To compete in the World Championships.

To win an Olympic medal.

To be inducted into the South African Sports Hall of Fame.

We have provided you with an My goal in life essay, and you can read more through the following link:

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Ultimate guide to write SMART goals and track them

Setting goals is not just about identifying what you want to achieve but also defining how you will achieve it in a measurable and timely manner.

The SMART criteria provide a framework that helps ensure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This approach not only clarifies your objectives but also maximizes the likelihood of achieving them.

Boost your productivity

How to convert google sheets to excel automatically, understanding smart goals, writing smart goals, examples of smart goals.

Integrating SMART goals with Google Sheets

Using Sheetgo Dashboards for progress review

Be smart about your goals.

SMART goals are a powerful tool to enhance clarity and focus in achieving objectives.

The acronym SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound . These are all the things you should keep in mind when setting goals to make them reliable.

Implementing SMART goals is crucial to ensure alignment with business strategies or personal aspirations. They are integral to success in any setting.

Components of SMART Goals:

Specific : Goals should be well-defined, clear, and unambiguous.
Measurable: There should be clear criteria for measuring progress toward the accomplishment of the goal.
Achievable: The goal should be attainable.
Relevant: It should align with broader objectives, ensuring that the goal matters and impacts development positively.
Time-bound: Every goal needs a clearly defined timeline, including a starting date and a target date to create urgency and prompt priority.

Understanding these components not only aids in the formulation of effective objectives but also enhances the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes.

To write effective SMART goals, it’s important to incorporate each component of the SMART framework thoughtfully. Let’s break down a well-written and a badly written SMART goal.

Well written SMART goal

This goal ticks all the boxes to qualify as SMART.

“Increase the monthly sales of our online course by 30% from 100 units to 130 units by December 31, 2023.”

Let’s look at how each part comes into play:

Specific: The goal clearly specifies what needs to be achieved—increasing the sales of a particular product.
Measurable: The increase is quantified at 30%, moving from 100 to 130 units. This allows for clear tracking of progress.
Achievable: Assuming the resources and strategies are in place to boost sales, a 30% increase is a realistic target that challenges the team without being unattainable.
Relevant: If the overall business objective is to grow revenue, boosting product sales is directly aligned with this aim.
Time-bound: Setting a deadline of December 31, 2023, gives a clear timeline to achieve the goal and measures urgency.

Badly written SMART goal

On the contrary, this goal is not SMART and provides no value.

“Work on increasing sales.”

Let’s look exactly at what makes this a bad goal:

Over-ambition: This goal lacks realistic boundaries or an understanding of what is achievable within a given timeframe.
Too vague: The goal does not specify what is to be sold, by how much the sales need to increase, or any specific target to be achieved.
Ignoring timing: There is no deadline or time frame associated with this goal, making it difficult to prioritize or track progress.
Neglecting relevance: The goal does not tie into specific strategic business objectives, making it unclear how this increase in sales impacts broader company goals.
Lack of flexibility: Without specific metrics or timelines, it’s impossible to adjust the goal based on changing circumstances or new information.

In the following sections, we’ll explore practical examples of SMART goals tailored to different professions and contexts. These examples will demonstrate how the SMART framework can be applied across various fields, from education to business management.

Each example is designed to illustrate how setting clear, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives can foster significant improvements.

Smart goals for teachers

Setting SMART goals can be particularly transformative for teachers, helping them improve both their instructional strategies and student outcomes.

SMART goals examples for teachers:

By the end of the semester, increase the number of Grade 10 History students participating in group projects from 50% to 80%.
Raise the average math test scores in Grade 8 from 70% to 80% by the end of the academic year.
Complete a professional development course on digital teaching tools within the next six months. Afterwards, integrate at least three of these tools into daily teaching practices to enhance student engagement.

These examples of SMART goals for teachers highlight how targeted, measurable objectives can directly enhance educational practices and outcomes. This in turn leads to a more engaging and effective learning environment for students.

Smart goals for managers

For managers, effective goal-setting is crucial for ensuring team productivity and achieving organizational objectives. SMART goals provide a clear framework for these objectives, enhancing both individual and team performance.

SMART goal examples for managers:

Reduce employee turnover in the customer service department by 10% by the end of the fiscal year.
Increase the department’s overall productivity by 15% over the next quarter.
Achieve a 20% increase in sales from the current quarter.

These SMART goals for managers demonstrate how setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives can directly contribute to managing team dynamics effectively, improving productivity, and driving business success.

Smart goals for communication

Setting precise communication goals can significantly enhance both internal coordination and customer interactions, leading to improved organizational performance.

SMART Goal examples for Communication:

Reduce internal email volume by 30% by the end of the quarter through weekly team check-in meetings.
Increase customer satisfaction ratings by 20% within six months by enhancing communication training for customer service staff.
Boost engagement on social media channels by 25% over the next three months with a refined content strategy.

These goals address various aspects of communication within an organization, focusing on both internal efficiencies and external engagement.

Tracking SMART goals with Google Sheets

Google Sheets is an excellent tool for tracking the progress of your SMART goals. By leveraging certain functions, you can set up a dynamic and efficient goal-tracking system.

These are some key Google Sheets functions (a their corresponding blog entries) that are particularly useful to build a goal tracking spreadsheet:

=COUNTIF() : Count how many times a certain value appears within a range. This is useful for tracking the number of tasks completed toward a goal.
=SUMIF() : Allows you to sum values based on specific criteria. It can be used to add up sales figures or other quantifiable measures related to your goals.
=AVERAGEIF() : Great for calculating averages that meet certain conditions, helping to assess performance metrics over a set period.
=VLOOKUP() : Useful for pulling specific data from a larger dataset. This can be particularly handy when managing goals across different departments or teams.
=ARRAYFORMULA() : Particularly useful for applying formulas across large datasets without having to copy and paste.

By integrating these functions into your Google Sheets, you can automate data calculations and updates, making your goal tracking more efficient and accurate. This will not only save time but also provide real-time insights into your progress toward achieving your SMART goals.

Utilizing Sheetgo to create dashboards is an efficient way to visualize and manage your data from Google Sheets. These dashboards can be automated to update with new data and shared easily, making them ideal for tracking the progress of SMART goals.

Guide to Creating a Sheetgo Dashboard:

Go to the Dashboard section within an existing workflow.
Select existing charts or graphs from your Google Sheets to include in the dashboard.
Customize your dashboard by arranging the charts and graphs.
Share the Dashboard directly by email or download it as a PDF.

Check out the video below for more detailed instructions.

Sheetgo dashboards serve as a powerful tool for reviewing progress on SMART goals, offering a clear, visual representation of achievements and areas for improvement.

By automating the data flow from Google Sheets and simplifying the sharing process, Sheetgo enhances the effectiveness of data-driven decision-making.

Transform your data into actionable insights

Adopting the SMART framework for goal-setting can transform vague aspirations into actionable, clear objectives. Regardless of the nature of your project, SMART goals provide a structured approach to achieving success.

Tools like Google Sheets and Sheetgo enhance this process by enabling efficient tracking and visualization of progress, making it easier to stay on course and make adjustments as needed.

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How to Write an Amazing Personal Statement (Includes Examples!)

Lisa Freedland is a Scholarships360 writer with personal experience in psychological research and content writing. She has written content for an online fact-checking organization and has conducted research at the University of Southern California as well as the University of California, Irvine. Lisa graduated from the University of Southern California in Fall 2021 with a degree in Psychology.

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Zach Skillings is the Scholarships360 Newsletter Editor. He specializes in college admissions and strives to answer important questions about higher education. When he’s not contributing to Scholarships360, Zach writes about travel, music, film, and culture. His work has been published in Our State Magazine, Ladygunn Magazine, The Nocturnal Times, and The Lexington Dispatch. Zach graduated from Elon University with a degree in Cinema and Television Arts.

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

How to Write an Amazing Personal Statement (Includes Examples!)

The personal statement. It’s one of the most important parts of the entire college application process. This essay is the perfect opportunity to show admissions officers who you are and what makes you stand out from the crowd. But writing a good personal statement isn’t exactly easy. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate guide on how to nail your personal statement, complete with example essays . Each essay was reviewed and commented upon by admissions expert Bill Jack. Let’s dive in!

Related: How to write an essay about yourself

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is a special type of essay that’s required when you’re applying to colleges and scholarship programs. In this essay, you’re expected to share something about who you are and what you bring to the table. Think of it as a chance to reveal a side of yourself not found in the rest of your application. Personal statements are typically around 400 – 600 words in length.

What can I write about?

Pretty much anything, as long as it’s about you . While this is liberating in the sense that your writing options are nearly unlimited, it’s also overwhelming for the same reason. The good news is that you’ll probably be responding to a specific prompt. Chances are you’re applying to a school that uses the Common App , which means you’ll have seven prompts to choose from . Reviewing these prompts can help generate some ideas, but so can asking yourself meaningful questions.

Below you’ll find a list of questions to ask yourself during the brainstorming process. For each of the following questions, spend a few minutes jotting down whatever comes to mind.

What experiences have shaped who you are?
What’s special or unique about you or your life story?
Who or what has inspired you the most?
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
What are your goals for the future? How have you arrived at those goals?
If your life was a movie, what would be the most interesting scene?
What have been some of the biggest challenges in your life? How did you respond and what did you learn?

The purpose of these questions is to prompt you to think about your life at a deeper level. Hopefully by reflecting on them, you’ll find an essay topic that is impactful and meaningful. In the next section, we’ll offer some advice on actually writing your essay.

Also see: How to write a 500 word essay

How do I write my personal statement?

Once you’ve found a topic, it’s time to start writing! Every personal statement is different, so there’s not really one formula that works for every student. That being said, the following tips should get you started in the right direction:

1. Freewrite, then rewrite

The blank page tends to get more intimidating the longer you stare at it, so it’s best to go ahead and jump right in! Don’t worry about making the first draft absolutely perfect. Instead, just get your ideas on the page and don’t spend too much time thinking about the finer details. Think of this initial writing session as a “brain dump”. Take 15-30 minutes to quickly empty all your thoughts onto the page without worrying about things like grammar, spelling, or sentence structure. You can even use bullet points if that helps. Once you have your ideas on the page, then you can go back and shape them exactly how you want.

2. Establish your theme

Now that you’ve got some basic ideas down on the page, it’s time to lock in on a theme. Your theme is a specific angle that reflects the central message of your essay. It can be summarized in a sentence or even a word. For example, let’s say you’re writing about how you had to establish a whole new group of friends when you moved to a new city. The theme for this type of essay would probably be something like “adaptation”. Having a theme will help you stay focused throughout your essay. Since you only have a limited number of words, you can’t afford to go off on tangents that don’t relate to your theme.

3. Tell a story

A lot of great essays rely on a specific scene or story. Find the personal anecdote relevant to your theme and transfer it to the page. The best way to do this is by using descriptive language. Consult the five senses as you’re setting the scene. What did you see, hear, taste, touch, or smell? How were you feeling emotionally? Using descriptive language can really help your essay come to life. According to UPchieve , a nonprofit that supports low income students, focusing on a particular moment as a “ revised version of a memoir ” is one way to keep readers engaged.

Related: College essay primer: show, don’t tell

4. Focus on your opening paragraph

Your opening paragraph should grab your reader’s attention and set the tone for the rest of your essay. In most cases, this is the best place to include your anecdote (if you have one). By leading with your personal story, you can hook your audience from the get-go. After telling your story, you can explain why it’s important to who you are.

Related: How to start a scholarship essay (with examples)

5. Use an authentic voice

Your personal statement reflects who you are, so you should use a tone that represents you. That means you shouldn’t try to sound like someone else, and you shouldn’t use fancy words just to show off. This isn’t an academic paper, so you don’t have to adopt a super formal tone. Instead, write in a way that allows room for your personality to breathe.

6. Edit, edit, edit…

Once you’re done writing, give yourself some time away from the essay. Try to allow a few days to pass before looking at the essay again with fresh eyes. This way, you’re more likely to pick up on spelling and grammatical errors. You may even get some new ideas and rethink the way you wrote some things. Once you’re satisfied, let someone else edit your essay. We recommend asking a teacher, parent, or sibling for their thoughts before submitting.

Examples of personal statements

Sometimes viewing someone else’s work is the best way to generate inspiration and get the creative juices flowing. The following essays are written in response to four different Common App prompts:

Prompt 1: “Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

When I was eight years old, I wanted a GameCube very badly. For weeks I hounded my dad to buy me one and finally he agreed. But there was a catch. He’d only get me a GameCube if I promised to start reading. Every day I played video games, I would have to pick up a book and read for at least one hour. At that point in my life, reading was just something I had to suffer through for school assignments. To read for pleasure seemed ludicrous. Needless to say, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about this proposed agreement. But I figured anything was worth it to get my hands on that shiny new video game console, so I bit the bullet and shook my dad’s hand. Little did I know that I had just made a life-changing deal.

At first, the required hour of reading was a chore — something I had to do so I could play Mario Kart. But it quickly turned into something more than that. To my complete and utter surprise, I discovered that I actually enjoyed reading. One hour turned into two, two turned into three, and after a while I was spending more time reading than I was playing video games. I found myself captivated by the written word, and I read everything I could get my hands on. Lord of the Rings , Percy Jackson , Goosebumps — you name it. I was falling in love with literature, while my GameCube was accumulating dust in the TV stand.

Soon enough, reading led to writing. I was beginning to come up with my own stories, so I put pen to paper and let my imagination run wild. It started out small. My first effort was a rudimentary picture book about a friendly raccoon who went to the moon. But things progressed. My stories became more intricate, my characters more complex. I wrote a series of science fiction novellas. I tried my hand at poetry. I was amazed at the worlds I could create with the tip of my pen. I had dreams of becoming an author.

Then somewhere along the way my family got a subscription to Netflix, and that completely changed the way I thought about storytelling. My nose had been buried in books up until then, so I hadn’t really seen a lot of movies. That quickly changed. It seemed like every other day a pair of new DVDs would arrive in the mail (this was the early days of Netflix). Dark Knight, The Truman Show, Inception, Memento — all these great films were coming in and out of the house. And I couldn’t get enough of them. Movies brought stories to life in a way that books could not. I was head over heels for visual storytelling.

Suddenly I wasn’t writing novels and short stories anymore. I was writing scripts for movies. Now I wanted to transfer my ideas to the big screen, rather than the pages of a book. But I was still doing the same thing I had always done. I was writing, just in a different format. To help with this process, I read the screenplays of my favorite films and paid attention to the way they were crafted. I kept watching more and more movies. And I hadn’t forgotten about my first love, either. I still cherished books and looked to them for inspiration. By the end of my junior year of high school, I had completed two scripts for short films.

So why am I telling you all this? Because I want to turn my love of storytelling into a career. I’m not totally sure how to do that yet, but I know I have options. Whether it’s film production, creative writing, or even journalism, I want to find a major that suits my ambitions. Writing has taken me a long way, and I know it can take me even further. As I step into this next chapter of my life, I couldn’t be more excited to see how my craft develops. In the meantime, I should probably get rid of that dusty old GameCube.

Feedback from admissions professional Bill Jack

Essays don’t always have to reveal details about the student’s intended career path, but one thing I like about this essay is that it gives the reader a sense of the why. Why do they want to pursue storytelling. It also shows the reader that they are open to how they pursue their interest. Being open to exploration is such a vital part of college, so it’s also showing the reader that they likely will be open to new things in college. And, it’s always fun to learn a little bit more about the student’s family, especially if the reader can learn about how the students interacts with their family.

Prompt 2: “The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?”

I remember my first impression of Irvine: weird. It was foggy, stock-full of greenery and eucalyptus trees, and reminded me of my 5th grade trip to a “science camp” which was located in the San Bernardino mountains. Besides Irvine, that was one of the few places in Southern California where you’d find so many non-palm trees.

Of course, perhaps my initial impression of Irvine was biased, motivated by a desire to stay in my hometown and a fear of the unknown. While that was true to an extent, Irvine was certainly still a little peculiar. The city itself was based on a “master plan” of sorts, with the location of each of its schools, parks, shops, and arguably its trees having been logically “picked” before the foundation was poured. Even the homes all looked roughly the same, with their beige, stucco walls almost serving as a hallmark of the city itself.

Thus, this perfectly structured, perfectly safe city seemed like a paradise of sorts to many outsiders, my parents included. I was a little more hesitant to welcome this. As I saw it, this was a phony city – believing that its uniformity stood for a lack of personality. My hometown, although not as flawlessly safe nor clean as Irvine, was where most of my dearest memories had occurred. From the many sleepovers at Cindie’s house, to trying to avoid my school’s own version of the “infamous” cheese touch, to the many laughs shared with friends and family, I shed a tear at the prospect of leaving my home.

Moving into the foreign city, remnants of the hostility I held towards Irvine remained. Still dwelling in my memories of the past, I was initially unable to see Irvine as a “home.” So, as I walked into my first-ever Irvine class, being greeted by many kind, yet unfamiliar faces around me, I was unable to recognize that some of those new faces would later become some of my dearest friends. Such negative feelings about the city were further reinforced by newer, harder classes, and more complicated homework. Sitting in the discomfort of this unfamiliar environment, it started to seem that “change” was something not only inevitable, but insurmountable.

As the years went on, however, this idea seemed to fade. I got used to my classes and bike racing through Irvine neighborhoods with my friends, watching the trees that once seemed just a “weird” green blob soon transform into one of my favorite parts of the city. While I kept my old, beloved memories stored, I made space for new ones. From carefully making our way over the narrow creek path next to our school, to the laughs we shared during chemistry class, my new memories made with friends seemed to transform a city I once disliked into one I would miss.

Through this transformation, I have come to recognize that change, although sometimes intimidating at first, can open the door to great times and meaningful connections. Although Irvine may have once seemed like a strange, “phony” place that I couldn’t wait to be rid of, the memories and laughs I had grown to share there were very real. As I move onto this next part of my life, I hope I can use this knowledge that I have gained from my time in Irvine to make the most of what’s to come. Even if the change may be frightening at first, I have learned to embrace what’s on the other side, whether green or not.

One huge plus to writing an essay that focuses on a place is that you might have it read by someone who has been there. Yet, what’s really helpful about this essay is that even if someone hasn’t been there, a picture is painted about what the place is like. Admission officers have the hard task of really understanding what the student sees, so the use of adjectives and imagery can really help. It’s also really clever to see that the green that’s mentioned at the beginning is mentioned at the end. It’s a nice way to bookend the essay and tie it all together.

Prompt 6: “Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?”

I like getting lost. Not literally, of course, but figuratively. Whether it be in the story of a love song by Taylor Swift, or in the memories brought back by listening to my favorite childhood video game’s background music, I’ve always appreciated music’s ability to transport me to another place, another time, another feeling.

Alas, I cannot sing, nor have I practiced an instrument since my middle school piano class days. So, perhaps Kurt Vonnegut was right. As he puts it, “Virtually every writer I know would rather be a musician.” While I cannot speak for others, I have certainly not debunked his theory. Writing allows many, including myself, to attempt to mimic the transformative power of music – even if our singing voices aren’t exactly “pleasant.” Just as you can get lost in music, you can do so in a story. Whether it is in George Orwell’s totalitarian Oceania, or Little Women’s Orchard House, the stories outlined in novels can provide an amazing look into the lives and worlds of others, and an escape from the worries and problems of those in your own.

While I am certainly not claiming to have the storytelling abilities of the Orwells or Alcotts before me, I’ve had fun trying to recreate such transformative feelings for others. When I was nine, I attempted to write a story about a little girl who had gotten lost in the woods, only managing to get a couple pages through. As I got older, whenever I was assigned a creative writing assignment in school, I wrote about the same pig, Phil. He was always angry: in my 8th grade science class, Phil was mad at some humans who had harbored his friend captive, and in my 9th grade English class, at a couple who robbed him.

Thus, when I heard about a writing club being opened at my school in 11th grade, I knew I had to join. I wanted to discern whether writing was just a hobby I picked up now and then, or a true passion. If it was a passion, I wanted to learn as much as possible about how I could improve. Although my high school’s writing club certainly wasn’t going to transform me into Shakespeare, I knew I could learn a lot from it – and I did. The club challenged me to do many things, from writing on the spot, to writing poetry, to even writing about myself, something that’s hopefully coming in handy right now.

From then on, I started to expand into different types of writing, storing short ideas, skits, and more in appropriately-labeled Google Drive folders. At around the same time, I became interested in classic literature, which largely stemmed from a project in English class. We had been required to choose and read a classic on our own, then present it to the class in an interesting way. While my book was certainly interesting and unique in its own right, nearly everyone else’s novels seemed more captivating to me. So, I took it upon myself to read as many classics as I could the following summer.

One of the books I read during the summer, funnily enough, was Animal Farm, which starred angry pigs, reminiscent of Phil. I had also started going over different ideas in my head, thinking about how I could translate them into words using the new skills I learned. While the writing club helped reaffirm my interest in writing and allowed me to develop new skills, my newfound affinity for classics gave me inspiration to write. Now, I am actually considering writing as part of my future. In this endeavor, I hope that Phil, and the music I inevitably listen to as I write, will accompany me every step of the way.

Admission officers might read 70 (or more!) essays in one day. It’s not uncommon for them to start to blend together and sound similar. This essay might not make you laugh out loud. But, it might make the reader chuckle while reading it thanks to the subtle humor and levity. Being able to incorporate a little humor into your essay (if it is natural for you to do… do not force it), can really be a great way to shed additional light into who you are. Remember, the essay isn’t merely about proving that you can write, but it should also reveal a little bit about your personality.

Prompt 5: “Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.”

I learned a lot of things during the summer I worked at Tropical Smoothie. I discovered the value of hard work. I figured out how to save money. I even mastered the art of the Mango Magic smoothie (the secret is lots of sugar). But most importantly, I learned the power of perspective. And I have Deja to thank for that.

Deja was my shift supervisor, and one of Tropical Smoothie’s best employees. She was punctual, friendly, and always willing to lend a helping hand. She knew the store from top to bottom, and could handle pretty much any situation thrown her way. She made everyone around her better. On top of all that, she was four months pregnant! I was always impressed by Deja’s work ethic, but I gained an entirely new level of respect for her one day.

It was a Friday night, and Deja and I were working the closing shift together. It was very busy, and Deja and I were the only ones on shift. We managed to get by, but we were exhausted by the end of the evening. After wiping down the counters and mopping the floors, we closed up shop and went our separate ways. I was eager to get home.

I walked a couple blocks to where I had parked my car. Well, it wasn’t my car actually. It was my dad’s ‘98 Chevy pickup truck, and it was in rough shape. It had no heat or A/C, the leather seats were cracked beyond repair, and the driver’s side door was jammed shut. I sighed as I got in through the passenger side and scooted over to the driver’s seat. The whole reason I was working at Tropical Smoothie was to save up enough money to buy my own car. I was hoping to have something more respectable to drive during my senior year of high school.

I cranked the old thing up and started on my way home. But soon enough, I spotted Deja walking on the side of the road. There was no sidewalk here, the light was low, and she was dangerously close to the passing cars. I pulled over and offered her a ride. She got in and explained that she was on her way home. Apparently she didn’t have a car and had been walking to work every day. I couldn’t believe it. Here I was complaining about my set of wheels, while Deja didn’t have any to begin with.

We got to talking, and she confessed that she had been having a tough time. You would never know from the way she was so cheerful at work, but Deja had a lot on her plate. She was taking care of her mother, her boyfriend had just lost his job, and she was worried about making ends meet. And of course, she was expecting a baby in five months. On top of all that, she had been walking nearly a mile to and from work every day. The whole thing was a real eye opener, and made me reconsider some things in my own life.

For one, I didn’t mind driving my dad’s truck anymore. It was banged up, sure, but it was a lot better than nothing. My mindset had changed. I appreciated the truck now. I began to think about other things differently, too. I started making mental notes of all the things in my life I was thankful for — my family, my friends, my health. I became grateful for what I had, instead of obsessing over the things I didn’t.

I also gained more awareness of the world outside my own little bubble. My encounter with Deja had shown me first-hand that everyone is dealing with their own problems, some worse than others. So I started paying more attention to my friends, family members, and coworkers. I started listening more and asking how I could help. I also gave Deja a ride home for the rest of the summer.

These are all small things, of course, but I think they make a difference. I realized I’m at my best when I’m not fixated on my own life, but when I’m considerate of the lives around me. I want to keep this in mind as I continue to grow and develop as a person. I want to continue to search for ways to support the people around me. And most importantly, I want to keep things in perspective.

Too often we can be focused on our own problems that we fail to realize that everyone has their own things going on in their lives, too. This essay showcases how it’s important to put things in perspective, a skill that certainly will prove invaluable in college… and not just in the classroom. Another reason I like this essay is because it provides deeper insight into the student’s life. Sure, you might have mentioned in your activities list that you have a job. But as this essay does, you can show why you have the job in the first place, what your responsibilities are, and more.

A few last tips

We hope these essay examples gave you a bit of inspiration of what to include in your own. However, before you go, we’d like to send you off with a few (personal statement) writing tips to help you make your essays as lovely as the memories and anecdotes they’re based off of. Without further ado, here are some of our best tips for writing your personal statements:

1. Open strong

College admissions officers read many, many essays (think 50+) a day, which can sometimes cause them to start blending together and sounding alike. One way to avoid your essay from simply fading into the background is to start strong. This means opening your essay with something memorable, whether an interesting personal anecdote, a descriptive setting, or anything else that you think would catch a reader’s attention (so long as it’s not inappropriate). Not only might this help college admissions officers better remember your essay, but it will also make them curious about what the rest of your essay will entail.

2. Be authentic

Perhaps most important when it comes to writing personal statement essays is to maintain your authenticity. Ultimately, your essays should reflect your unique stories and quirks that make you who you are, and should help college admissions officers determine whether you’d truly be a good fit for their school or not. So, don’t stress trying to figure out what colleges are looking for. Be yourself, and let the colleges come to you!

3. Strong writing

This one may seem a little obvious, but strong writing will certainly appeal to colleges. Not only will it make your essay more compelling, but it may show colleges that you’re ready for college-level essay writing (that you’ll likely have to do a lot of). Just remember that good writing is not limited to grammar. Using captivating detail and descriptions are a huge part of making your essay seem more like a story than a lecture.

4. Proofread

Last but not least, remember to proofread! Make sure your essay contains no errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. When you’re done proofreading your essay yourself, we would also recommend that you ask a teacher, parent, or other grammatically savvy person to proofread your essay as well.

Final thoughts

With those in hand, we hope you now have a better sense of how to write your personal statement. While your grades and test scores are important when it comes to college admissions, it’s really your essays that can “make” or “break” your application.

Although this may make it seem like a daunting task, writing an amazing personal statement essay is all about effort. Thus, so long as you start early, follow the advice listed above, and dedicate your time and effort to it, it’s entirely possible to write an essay that perfectly encapsulates you. Good luck, and happy writing!

Also see: Scholarships360’s free scholarships search tool

Key Takeaways

It may take some people longer than others to know what they want to write about, but remember that everyone, including you, has something unique to write about!
Personal statements should be personal, which means you should avoid being too general and really strive to show off what makes you “you”
Time and effort are two of the most important things you can put into your personal statement to ensure that it is the best representation of yourself
Don’t forget to ask people who know you to read your work before you submit; they should be able to tell you better than anyone if you are truly shining through!

Frequently asked questions about writing personal statements

How do you write a powerful personal statement, what makes an amazing personal statement, how do you start an amazing personal statement, scholarships360 recommended.

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13 Personal Smart Goals to Help You Grow

You can get there.

Even if you've never sat down and intentionally created a list of goals, you're likely familiar with working toward milestones. This can be something as small as completing all your work in time to enjoy the weekend or as grand as saving up for a new house, car or large purchase.

Setting goals helps build personal development and achieve success, especially when done strategically. In this article, we'll define the different types of goals (personal goals, smart goals), examples of each kind of goal and how to set personal smart goals with intention.

What are personal goals?

Personal goals are the achievements you set out to accomplish in the span of your lifetime. These personal goals can be oriented to achieving a particular lifestyle, such as retiring early or investing enough money so that you're able to earn passive income and work very little – or not at all. They can be family goals – whether that's starting a family, taking a trip or seeing your children reach certain milestones. They can be career goals – such as working for a company you admire or even starting a business of your own.

Personal goals can be as big or small as you make them. For example, you may have your eye set on a big promotion or purchase as a long-term goal. But personal goals can be achieved in the short term and encompass anything from learning one new recipe each month or saving an allotted amount of money from each paycheck to use for fun or leisure.

What are smart goals?

Smart goals stand for Specific, Measurable, Achievable (or Attainable), Realistic (or Relevant and Time-Bound. George T. Doran coined this method of personal goal setting in the early 1980s. His paper, " The S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management Goals and Objectives ," was meant to give companies a framework for setting and achieving goals. Since the paper's debut in the 1980s, this goal-setting method has been adopted and adapted by many and has become a widely used way to set personal goals.

How to set personal smart goals

When using the smart goal method, consider these questions for each point in the acronym.

Specific: What are you trying to accomplish? Paint a clear picture of the goal - what it looks like, who it involves and why you need to get there. Why is this something you wish to do or achieve? Get familiar with the motivating factors behind why you want to accomplish this smart goal. When will you work on your goal, and what needs to happen for you to have time to do so? Planning for how you'll reach your smart goal from a time perspective helps keep you on track.

Measurable: How will you measure the success of your smart goal? Utilizing the specifics above, determine what this achievement will look and feel like and how it will be measured. For example, if purchasing a home is your smart goal, what are the parameters that would indicate success? Is it also finding an affordable mortgage rate? Is it buying a house with certain qualities in a desirable neighborhood? Make sure your smart goal is a measurable goal and clarify what those measurements will be.

Attainable: Smart goals don't necessarily have to be small goals. However, if you're setting a personal smart goal that you have no way of reaching – whether it be lack of tools, knowledge or other boundaries that keep it from being attainable – you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Determine what will be necessary in order for you to achieve the goal you're setting – then work toward obtaining those resources as your first step.

Realistic: Is it possible for you to meet the smart goal you're setting? If the goal is something like starring in a movie – but you have no acting experience or concrete steps to take to achieve it, it's not likely you'll complete your smart goal. There's no harm in dreaming big – but ensuring you have the proper knowledge, resources and training to reach the smart goal you're setting will make it achievable. If your smart goal isn't realistic, examine what would need to happen to make it more tangible.

Timely: Even long-term smart goals need to have target deadlines attached in order to achieve them. George T. Doran's original paper on smart goals recommends working backward from the date you want to achieve your goal by creating an outline that identifies the critical needs and logistics that need to happen – and when – to hit your smart goal deadline. Having your goal be time bound helps to ground and frame the work that needs to be done in order to achieve success.

Why set smart goals?

There are plenty of benefits to setting smart goals. Here are just a few reasons you should consider adopting a smart goal framework to achieve personal success.

Setting smart goals improves results

Top achieving professionals all have one thing in common – they set goals and work toward them. When you have a vision to work toward, the path to success becomes more transparent and tangible. Having a measurement plan for how you'll track progress helps identify whether or not you're on track and allows you to maintain the focus needed in order to get there.

Setting smart goals provides a sense of control

Do you often feel like you have little to no control over what happens in your life each day? We all have daily responsibilities we need to get done, from job demands to paying bills, caring for family and other necessary chores. Having a smart goal to work towards gives us something that we're uniquely in control of and can achieve with the right tools, time and hard work.

Setting smart goals holds you accountable

At one point or another, all of us have dreamt up overarching goals we'd love to achieve someday in the abstract. Setting a smart goal transforms a vague goal into something specific and attainable. It makes the goal you've been dreaming about feel possible in a way it hadn't before by making the goal measurable, time bound and concrete.

Setting smart goals motivates you

Knowing you have the power to change your current circumstances and strive for something better is a powerful motivator. Setting a smart goal takes things a step further. Following the smart goal framework gives you the focus and discipline you need to achieve success.

Smart goal examples

You understand what smart goals are, what they consist of and how to set them. But you're still feeling stuck or unsure of where to start with your smart goals, reviewing smart goal examples can be helpful. Here are a few smart goal examples to help get you started.

Increase your visibility at work

Particularly in a remote workforce, standing out and getting noticed can be tricky, making this smart goal example important. This smart goal is specific – but there are many different methods for getting there. For example, speaking up at least once during each meeting may be your starting point. This smart goal is attainable and realistic. To achieve it, you may spend extra time preparing for each meeting on your calendar and come ready with the talking point you want to discuss. At the end of each week, you can measure your progress by how many meetings you were able to speak at, what the outcome was and the number of people you've been noticed by at each meeting.

Learn a new hobby in two months

This smart goal example is relevant and time bound. It's essential to be specific in the case of this smart goal – with so many hobby options out there, choosing one that's realistic and attainable to learn is critical. It's also important to understand why this specific hobby is the one you're choosing. For example, if you're working in a very technical field, are you setting this smart goal to tap into your more creative side? Or maybe you're looking for a hobby that could earn you additional income, such as making a specific craft you can sell. Using the smart goal template , paint a clear picture of when, how and why you'll learn this new hobby – as well as what success will look like to you at the end of your two-month process.

Become a regular volunteer

How do you define regularly volunteering? It's up to you to set the parameters of this smart goal. Think about factors such as how much time you have to devote to volunteering, access to transportation that will get you to and from your volunteer work and what kind of organization would be most fulfilling for you to spend your time at. In addition to the time spent volunteering, determine how else you might measure this goal and what time frame you want to achieve this in.

Wake up earlier

The easiest way to get more time into your day is to wake up earlier than you usually do. When setting this smart goal, starting small and working your way up to the optimal time you're looking to rise each day is vital. Determine a realistic, attainable amount of time to set your alarm clock earlier – this can be as small as 15 minutes to start. Using the "timely" porting of the smart goal acronym, work backward from the date you want to achieve waking up earlier by, and determine how you'll get there by plotting out how much earlier you'll rise in the weeks or months leading up to the final goal of your ideal morning routine .

Improve your time management

Similarly, just because you have extra time doesn't necessarily mean you're able to use it wisely. If your smart goal is to become more productive, determine when you'd like to have this goal achieved, why it's important to you and the barriers to entry that you see. This can be distractions throughout the day or putting more structure into your workday when you complete tasks.

Take 10 minutes to reflect on your wins of the week

At the end of a long week, it's all too easy to focus on what went wrong and what could have gone better. Making a smart goal to look at what did work for you can help you improve the weeks to come. This smart goal is easily attainable and realistic has a measurable time frame. Taking time to reflect on your wins helps you become more self-aware, which will improve many areas of your life and help you stay motivated.

Limit social media use

This is a great smart goal example for students as well as anyone who finds themselves aimlessly scrolling through social media. There can be a variety of specific motivators behind this smart goal – from increasing productivity to improving sleep and even better self-esteem since you'll be spending less time comparing yourself to others. Depending on how heavy of a social media user you are, the time frame for achieving this smart goal can vary greatly. But using the smart goal framework to determine why this is important, how you will measure success and the date at which you're looking to have this habit kicked by will help yield positive results.

Organize one room in your house each week

Living in an organized and clutter-free space comes with a host of mental health benefits, which makes this smart goal example a compelling one to consider. Notice that instead of setting a goal to organize the entire house, this smart goal is broken down into a more achievable, realistic one. When setting this smart goal, you can make this goal even more manageable by assessing how many hours each day per week you'll spend organizing the room you're working on for that week. This smart goal also makes it easy to work back on from a time perspective – the number of rooms in your home will dictate how many weeks it will take to achieve.

Make one 20-minute phone call to a friend or family member each week

Hectic schedules can make it easy for us to lose touch with the people we care about. Reconnecting with the people that matter in your life is a crucial smart goal example – one that can be reached by setting aside time each week to dedicate to it. When working toward this smart goal, get specific on who you most want to connect with, then find out when you're both free to speak. This can be done efficiently thanks to scheduling tools and online calendars. To ensure you stick to this goal, consider sending out calendar invites to those you're planning to speak to in order to help you stay on track.

Meditate for five minutes every day

Mediation has plenty of health benefits – but blocking out large amounts of time to devote to this practice can be challenging. This smart goal example makes meditation more achievable and realistic by devoting only five minutes per day to the practice. Even the busiest of people can spare five minutes – and even if you're not successful the first time you try meditating, making it a point to give it a try for at least five minutes every day is a measurable way to see improvement and progress.

Build an emergency fund that covers six months of expenses

No one likes to think about the worst-case scenario. But being prepared in the event of an unexpected job loss or emergency is a smart goal to make. Budgeting is another chore no one looks forward to doing – but focusing on identifying how much you could be saving makes looking at your overall budget less overwhelming. Measure the expenses you accrue each month, then measure how much you can save each paycheck. From there, it will be easy to see the path forward for how long it'll take to save up enough money to cover you in case of an emergency.

Plan healthy meals during the workweek

Time is often a barrier for those looking to eat healthily. This smart goal makes doing so more achievable by setting specific parameters for which meals you'll plan how many times per week this will happen. Determine when your meal planning and preparation will occur – whether it's all at once on a Sunday or each evening prior to getting you prepared for the following day.

Add one new contact to your network each week

If you're looking to build and grow your career, there's no better smart goal than networking. Instead of setting a smart goal to "network more," adding one person to your network each week makes the goal more attainable and realistic, as well as measurable. However, clicking the "add" button on LinkedIn is not enough for this smart goal. Determine how much time you'll spend searching for someone who's a viable network connection, how long it will take you to write a compelling introductory message and the parameters for which you're measuring the quality of this new contact.

Whether you're striving for personal growth, a successful career, self-improvement or other overarching goals to become the best version of yourself, setting smart goals can help you get there. Write smart goals down, get specific on why they're important and how you'll achieve them. Remember to make sure the smart goals you set are relevant and time bound, measurable goals that you're able to achieve. Some of the smart goals you set out to complete may be hard to accomplish at first, but you're sure to achieve success with the right attitude and hard work.

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Friends Rally Around Friend With Down Syndrome For Prom

Prom is supposed to be a special time for a teen. It’s a time of celebration and friendship , and recognizing all of your life’s achievements so far. However, it can also be a hard time for those who don’t feel like they fit in, or whose plans for their prom don’t pan out the way they’d hoped.

That’s when the kindness of others can make a very big difference in a person’s life, and that’s particularly true in this heartwarming story.

Hatching a Plan

Annie and her friends attend the prom

YouTube/KWWL

Iowa native Annie Schlarmann, who has Down syndrome, is a junior at Monticello High School. She had been looking forward to her prom, reports KWWL , but she didn’t have anyone to go with her. When her friends heard that she was going alone, they came together and hatched a plan.

“We thought it would be so fun to make her night special,” Maria McCarthy told the outlet. “So, we all got together, and we got to do so much fun stuff, like we got to go out to eat, we went axe throwing, and we got ice cream.”

The group didn’t think twice. They said Annie is a wonderful person and that no one deserved a special night more than her.

“I don't think there's anyone more deserving of it than Annie,” Kennedy Simon said. “I don't think I've ever met more of a bright, happy human. She's so caring, she's so fun, she's genuine. She's always making jokes.”

“Anyone should have this special night,” added Kate Green. “Annie deserves it more than anyone, so I'm glad we were able to do that for her.”

The Night of a Lifetime

For Annie, her friends coming together to celebrate with her was more meaningful than she could ever imagine. She fought back tears speaking with the outlet, recalling how great the night was. After all, going to prom with 11 of your good friends is better than going with a single date, right?

“I had a lot of fun last night because my friends are nice to me, and I love them,” she said. “They mean a lot to me.”

Others were inspired by the kind act as well. Annie’s sister, who is a teacher, said these kids are a great example of how wonderful the next generation can be.

“I always impress on my students how important learning is at school, but it's not just the academics they're learning, but shaping them into people,” she added. “This was just a beautiful example of what kindness and empathy look like.”

A Lasting Impact

Annie revealed she will remember her prom night for the rest of her life, but she wasn’t the only one touched by the kind act. Annie’s mom, Sue Schlarmann, said she will remember it forever as well. As the mother of a child with Down syndrome, she said she worries about her kid, and this gesture meant everything.

"It just was a special thing that they asked her to go because when you have a child with a disability, you're always hoping that they're going to get the same opportunities as your other children,” she explained.

“So to have them have such a genuine and kind heart and reach out and ask Annie to go to prom is something special.”

We're All the Same

As one of the teens in this story pointed out, everyone deserves to have a special prom, no matter who you are. No one is better than anyone else, no matter what privileges you are or aren’t born with. These kids know that, and it’s a great reminder for the rest of us.

We’re all important to the functioning of society, and we all deserve love, happiness , and hope. Sometimes we can feel less than or that we aren’t actually deserving of such things, so to hear it from someone else can be an important and uplifting experience. That means now is as good a time as any to boost someone else in your life with a kind word or gesture.

At the end of the day, we really are all the same, and we all deserve to feel special. So send the flowers, craft a text, or plan something nice. You never know when you might need that little boost of confidence in turn, and kindness really is what makes the world go round.

Police Officer Saves 3-Month-Old - Five Years Later He’s Part of the Family

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Son Steals Mom's Car and Works On Restoring It for 4 Years

It's a gorgeous day. Friends and family surround Ginni Brown. Kids laugh as they play on the bounce castles and slide on the lawn.

Then all of a sudden, something appears that brings her to tears as the memories come flooding back.

A Family Conspiracy

"She never knew it was gone, which is amazing," marvels Casey Brown.

Think about it: Four long years in secrecy. And he wasn't alone in his plot, recruiting his uncle Fred and cousin Drake, who each have one particular skill needed to pull this off with Oceans 11 precision.

The whole time, Casey's mom Ginni has no clue just what they're up to -- until one lovely day that leaves her stunned and sobbing.

You can understand why. I mean, stealing from your own mother?!

Oh, and we're not talking about Casey taking twenty dollars from his mother's wallet (Also not cool), but her car. He, his uncles, and his cousin shrewdly swap out her car from under the tarpaulin for a scrap ride along with boxes and objects from the garage so she doesn't notice.

What happens next reveals a moment that will move you to tears too.

A Wild Surprise

When she hears the music from around the block, Ginni Brown already knows. There's her son, behind the wheel of a slick, shiny-red 1964 Plymouth Valiant Convertible.

That's when Ginni's tears start.

She recalls how her husband -- Casey's father -- bought her that very same car back in 1968. Oh, how she loved that car. However, he then traded it in without consulting her, leaving her very upset.

To make amends, her husband bought the same model 10 years later with plans to restore it. Sadly, life sidetracked those plans, and he died before being able to.

Years later, with the motivation to act, Casey resolved to finish what his father couldn't. "I promised myself I would restore that car for her and dad," he said.

And so, in a plot twist that makes George Clooney and Brad Pitt look like amateurs, he teamed up with his family -- all mechanics -- to 'steal' his mother's car and restore it to its past glory. They did this meticulously over four years.

So when Casey rounds the corner for his mother's birthday party, playing his father's favorite song on the radio, she can't contain herself.

You can mark this caper a success .

How One Son Proves That Loved Ones Never Leave Us

Casey says that along with honoring his father and surprising his mom, the experience paid off in other enduring ways.

“I enjoyed the memories I made with my friends and family as we worked to get this car ready – and needed to make sure the surprise did it justice."

Among the quotes about family, one by David Ogden Stiers reads, "Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten."

The what-ifs, things unsaid, regrets, and unfinished business that linger when we lose a loved one are also rarely forgotten and can fester. For many, they remain that way. It's what makes this story about one devoted son a heartwarming reminder to honor our parents, in memory and the moment.

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Smart Goals Essay Example

My first SMART goal would be athletics. I started Cross Country last year, and I was close to making the top 10 to cross the finish line but never made it. I hope I can accomplish that this year because at the Conference meet last year I finished the race in 11th place. Last year I struggled because one was my first year and two that was the year that sports moved up to class three. To reach this goal I will need to stretch, Hydrate, and Practice. Around districts last year I This is my last year that I can compete so my deadline for my goal is before Districts which is October 31st.

My second SMART goal would be for the class I am taking, Senior Composition. For this class I want to work my hardest to get all A’s on my papers that I write this year. To reach this goal I will have to work hard and stay focused. Everytime I finish a paper for this class I will have to read over my paper and probably have someone check it for me. This is very important to me because my academics are very important to me.

My third SMART goal would be academics. When I graduate I would like to finish top 10 in my class. This is really important to me because my older sisters graduated top 10 in their class. Right now I am sitting at 11 and I am only one place away from meeting my goal. To meet my goal I am going to have to achieve all A’s all year. I am also going to have to work hard and study my hardest, but also not to stress because I need to have fun my senior year.

My fourth goal is personal, I want to get involved as much as I can this year because it’s my last year! To accomplish this goal I will go to all the dances we have because I have never been to any dances in high school besides prom. I want to also be involved in the senior activities that we do. This is my senior year and I want to make it memorable.

My fifth and final SMART goal would fall under personal and academic. FFA has this criteria called SAE (Supervised Agriculture Experience), my goal is to have my SAE be judged and get the placement award. Over the years I have not sent in my SAE to be judged because I didn’t make any money off of it. My herd of cattle wasn't big enough to make money, but this summer I got a job at the vet clinic that is now my other SAE. To reach this goal I will have to write in my journal entries every week to enter in my hours and my paychecks. I have confidence that I will meet this goal!

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My Smart Goal, Essay Example

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My Smart goal is to implement a new management system in my supplying business through creating a clearly defined guidelines and supplying processes. I will know whether I have achieved my goal when I will see my employees including the managers working more competently and satisfying the customer needs within the required time as agreed on the point of receiving the orders. I will introduce a wireless network and employ more people with specific skills in with great consideration with the section in the business. This will work right from the reception, security, warehouse, loading and offloading, and transport sections. This will require me to spend $ 420 and this money can be taken from the business account. I can achieve this since already from the business account the business made about $ 890 profit for the year ended 30 June 2012. I am very confident that the wireless networking system will only require $ 150 as per the quotation given by installation agent when I made the inquiries before planning. The remaining amount will be enough to employ the new input to required changing the business performance. The advertisement will put immediately on the employment agencies for the search of the required skills and knowledge for my supplying business. The employment requirement will depend on the input knowledge that will be requiring in each department following the input into the business. Customer expectation will also p[lay a major part when drawing the expertise required. From the record received from my friendly business associates who have really helped me with ideas and consultation services this system can be implemented within 8 weeks and change the working formula in my business.

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My Life and Career Goal: Paving the Path to Success

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My Goal In Life Essay

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13 SMART Goals Examples for All Parts of Life

What is a SMART Goal?

1. Increase Your Salary

2. Build Better Relationships

3. Save More Money

4. Quit Smoking

5. Get a Degree

6. Learn a New Skill

7. Start Your Own Business

8. Grow Your Network

9. Achieve Financial Freedom

10. Improve Time Management

11. Boost Your Self-Confidence

12. Become More Organized

13. Travel More Frequently

Final Thoughts

How To Write A Powerful Essay On Achieving Goals (+ Example)

Structuring Your Essay on Achieving Goals:

How to Write The Main Body of Your Essay

How to Write a Conclusion

Example Of An Essay About Achieving Your Goals

The Basics of Setting and Achieving Goals

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Essays About Goals: Top 5 Examples Plus 10 Prompts

5 Essay Examples

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How Do I Write An Essay About Achieving My Goals?

Step 1: Set Clear Goals

Step 2: Plan Your Essay Structure

Step 3: Conduct Research

Step 4: Draft and Revise

Step 5: Add Personal Reflection

Step 6: Edit and Proofread

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How to Write an Essay About My Goal: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding the Importance of Goal Setting

How To Write An Essay About My Life Goals