How Setting Goals Lead to Success - Essay Example

Reflective Analysis Introduction Goal setting is one of the most likely natural things that we do as humans. We tend to move from one region to the other with goals. The challenge is that most people fail to harness the power of it fully. Therefore, I learned that there is a magic in setting goals. More specifically, a written down goals is essential towards my success as the writing clarifies my thoughts. It helps in committing towards something that I am passionate about, be it in the short term or the long run. Therefore, a well-written goal instills the inspiration on how to move forward having the goal in mind (Rouillard, 2010). How Setting Goals Lead to Success Goals give a direction in all areas of success, be it in personal life or career. It gives a purpose to carry on with a particular task. Working on a well-set goal gives hope and determination to succeed in all activities. Without goals, it is rather difficult to focus and to have a direction in a particular task. Therefore, goal setting provides a benchmark for determining whether one is succeeding or not. A well-set goal is a secret to success. As the saying goes, “a goal well set is halfway accomplished” (Rouillard, 2010). Setting goals is the foremost and the most important step towards any achievement in life. The action level, as well as the action itself, stands as the catalyst to turn a particular goal, which is inert, into something that is dynamic. Therefore, to realize the objectives, it is recommendable to know how to set the goals. It is not a matter of merely saying, “I want it, “ and it happens all of a sudden. Goal setting starts with a careful consideration of what should be achieved and ends with hard work in the process of obtaining it. At the intermediate, there are rules that one has to embrace to make the set goals a success (Rouillard, 2010). The rules noted as follows. At the foremost, it is important to set a goal that motives a person. It is substantial that the set goal is valuable to the setter, and similarly there should be an interest in the outcome. It is important to set goals that relates to the high priorities in life. Without such focus, it is possible to end up with too many goals leaving less time to devote to each objective. Hence, goal achievement needs commitment in maximizing the likelihood of success. There need to be a sense of urgency and have “I must do this” kind of attitude (Rouillard, 2010). The approach helps to keep focus and avoid instances of risking putting off what needed to make the goal a reality. In return, leaves a feeling of frustrations and disappointment that are demotivating. Therefore, the set goal has to be motivating. Moreover, the set goal has to be smart. Smart goals have to be specific, measurable, attainable, and relevant and should have a time bound. It is important to be clear and well defined in setting goals. Cases of vagueness do not provide the sufficient direction towards success. Moreover, it is significant to have a precise amounts and dates in the goal set to measure the degree of success. Measuring a level of achievement brings in the celebration accompanied by the realization that the goals met. In accord, goals have to be achievable to avoid instances of demoralizing oneself (Rouillard, 2010). Educational and Career Goals For Instance, using the above measures, I have set both educational goals and career goals that keep me going. My educational goal is “To attain a mean grade of at least B at the end of each academic term.” My career goal is “To get a job in my line of profession once I complete my studies.” The above goals are realistic, specific, attainable, relevant, and measurable. They are also in line to a given time bound (Rouillard, 2010). The Writing Process The writing process can help to advance my education and ultimately my career by the excellent writing skills earned during the writing process. More specifically, it is relevant in the communication agencies that are more interested in the depth and the richness of the writing process itself. Better writing associated with effective communication skills that are mandatory in team building and having the assigned duties a success. In my education, most of my schoolwork, especially exams and different levels of assignments, delivered by writing. Hence, having an outstanding writing skill guarantees a better grade. Therefore, the writing process is relevant and significant in both my education and my future career (McCarter & Whitby, 2007). Ethical Lens Inventory An example of how the information from my Ethical Lens Inventory can help me make better decisions falls under the core values that I apply when resolving the ethical conflicts. To have an understanding of others when making decisions is the key strategy that assists to respect other’s opinions. The Ethical Lens Inventory helps to identify the values that I cherish most as well as their strengths and their challenges. In accord, the inventory assists in my decision making as it allows me to see the ethical issues clearly and in response, learn on resolving challenges better. Therefore, being aware that people have different views and priorities assist in respecting every individual’s opinion (Bennett, 2003). A good example of my personal preferred lens is the responsibility or the right and result lens. The lens is for the people who think thoroughly through a problem at hand before choosing a decision-making strategy. I keep the symbol of this lens as the Telescope. The reason for the telescope is that it look beyond what is at reach to determine what to do. Therefore, the strength of the lens is by considering all the options available in leading to a stronger decision-making strategy for others and the self (Bennett, 2003). Steps to Improve Critical Thinking Skills A critical thinking skill is an art that enable us to reason, analyze ideas and to dig deeper to get a real potential. The steps that I will take to improve on my critical thinking skills are; honing my questioning skills, adjusting my perspective, and then, putting it all together. It is important to question my assumption in improving my critical thinking skills. It should be accompanied by not taking any information on any authority until I have investigated it myself. Therefore, I need to be aware of my biases and always to think several moves ahead. Similarly, I have always to put myself in other’s shoes. Hence, it is by understanding all my options that will enable me to understand the people around me (Moore & Parker, 2015). University Resources The university resources that I will use to ensure academic success are by a combination of the internal and the outside sources. The relevance of using the internal sources is that it provided a ready and trusted the source of information as opposed to the outside sources. However, the outside sources are rich in the depth of information that may not be available in the internal system. Therefore, it is of relevance to apply the usage of the two sources at the University of Academic Success (McCarter & Whitby, 2007). Benefits and Challenges of Outside Sources The Benefits of outside sources falls under the fact that they give a detailed and rich source of information. Moreover, the outside sources are bias free and lend credibility to the piece of work. On the other hand, the disadvantage of using the outside source is the fact that a writer may be biased, or may not be good on a given topic. Therefore, the information is under the control of a single person that does not justify for its strength (McCarter & Whitby, 2007). Conclusion The course has equipped me with the necessary skills that will add value to my education and future career. For instance, it has broadened my understanding of the aspect of goal setting, ethical lens inventory, critical thinking, and the writing skills. Therefore, I can argue out my points clearly to a person with less information on the above (Rouillard, 2010). References Rouillard, L. (2010). Goals and Goal Setting: Achieve Measurable Results. Natl Book Network. Moore, B. N., & Parker, R. (2015). Critical thinking. Dubuque: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. McCarter, S., & Whitby, N. (2007). Writing skills. Oxford: Macmillan Education. Bennett, C. (2003). Ethics in business. Mason, Ohio: South-Western. Read More