Short-Term Goal Setting

My 10-year-old son’s goal was to finish a book. He made the following “To Do” list:
1. read
2. think
3. read
4. think
5. think
6. read
7. think
8. snack
9. read
10. think
His list continued to #23. I use lists for daily tasks, weekly chores, household projects, shopping, long-term goals, etc, which is why my child is making a list on how to read a book. Lists are helpful for me. They do not work for everyone. Here are a few ideas about setting short-term goals:

1. If the activity can be completed in less than 5 minutes, do it now.

2. Prioritize – pick 1 to 3 things you’d like to accomplish today.

3. Designate a specific time to complete the activity.

4. Estimate the time you’d expect the activity to take, and then add extra time to allow for interruptions and surprises. Some experts suggest doubling the estimate.

5. When you have a large project, break it into small steps. Focus on one step at a time.

Whether you make lists or not, planning is critical in achieving goals.