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Time Management Online Module

Goal Setting (Text-Only Version)

Activity

Situation: You are planning a small get together with friends who you have not seen in a
long time.
Deadline: 9 days from now
Goals: ?

Take a minute right now to think of some goals that could help you plan the event in the
next 9 days. (Later, we will revisit this scenario.)

Benefits of Goal Setting

When you have major assignments and projects, or if you have a lot of demands on your
time, it can feel daunting at first. But with proper goal setting, your tasks can be done on
time. Try following these steps:

Step 1 Begin setting reasonable goals by breaking down your larger tasks into short,
doable, and specific goals.
Step 2 Decide on specific times to complete each of these goals.

When you set smaller goals, you are more motivated to complete the overall task.

Example

Situation: Essay assignment

Deadline: 3 weeks from now
Smaller goals: ?

How do you break this task into smaller, doable, and specific goals? Look at the following
examples:

Goal Action Deadline

Goal #1 Complete research. End of first week
Goal #2 Complete first draft. Middle or end of second week
Goal #3 Consult with the professor or teaching Middle of third week
assistant about your with the first draft.
Complete a revised draft.
Goal #4 Proofread and update your revised draft. End of third week (due date)
Hand in final version.
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Practice 1

Situation: You are planning a small get together with friends who you have not seen in a
long time.
Deadline: 9 days from now

Complete the table by writing down 5 smaller goals to help you plan the event.

Goal Action Deadline

Goal #1

Goal #2

Goal #3

Goal #4

Practice 2

Think of a major goal in your life right now (e.g., getting 80% in a course by the end of this
semester, submitting an application for a scholarship by the deadline). Then break your
goal down into 5 short, doable, and specific goals. Complete the table by writing down
those goals.

Major Goal and Deadline

Goal Action Deadline

Goal #1

Goal #2

Goal #3

Goal #4

Goal #5
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Don’t Forget…

• You can reassess your goals.

• Ask yourself: Is it possible to continue at this pace? Do my big and small goals still
seem reasonable?
• Be realistic with your goals.

Sample solution for Practice 1

Goal Action Deadline

Goal #1 Find phone number or e-mail of restaurant. First day
Call to reserve a table.
Goal #2 Find out location and time of concert. Second day
Goal #3 Send invitations and event details using Third day
text, Facebook, or e-mail.
Goal #4 Reserve tickets for concert. Fifth day
Goal #5 Organize rides. Eighth day