Guest Speaker: Ann Leach Co-Author of the book Goal Sisters:
Live the Life You Want with a Little Help from Your Friends

Topic: Goal Setting

Brought to you by the College of Arts and Sciences
Audio Production: Susan Gilmore

Hello! This is Ann leach, co-author of the book, Goal Sisters: Live the Life You Want With a Little Help From Your Friends, I'm calling in from the Ozarks of Missouri and it's my intention to offer you some tips for managing this unit of your educational path…goal setting.

Not only do those people who set goals perform better and achieve more, the ones who have a goal sister or brother actually achieve their goals in a more timely way.

What is a goal sister or brother? She or he is simply someone who is willing to support and assist you in reaching your goals. But there's a catch-you must be willing to do the same for them! And that's the idea behind our book-having someone hold us accountable for doing what we say we want to do in our lives.

My goal sister and co-author, Michelle, helped me plant my goal garden by following the process outlined in this unit. We determined which goal flowers were the most immediate and needed the sunshine, or rather, our focus in this moment. Then we identified those that were planted but could live in the shade for a while-our long term goals. We would work on them one step at a time, just like you are working on the long term goal of graduation by taking one step at a time that, for you, is attending a series of classes leading up to that big goal.

As you determine what your short term, intermediate and long-term goals are, ask yourself ‘who can I put on my support list?' Is there a favorite professor you can email with questions? Have you connected with a fellow student in another class? Who in your hometown understands what a big step you are taking and sincerely wants to see you succeed? Now might be the time to contact them and let them know what you are working on and to ask them to ‘stand by' for your success. Perhaps they'll help show their support by taking the kids out for a couple of hours so you can get a good jump on your paper that's due next week or maybe they will run a couple of errands on their way home from work so you can have extra study time for that test you take tomorrow. Being able to honestly share with others the goal you have for yourself and asking for help to achieve it can help assure your success in reaching it.

So now that you have your goals identified, I have some additional tips to help you set them.

Michelle and I constantly made our goals as specific as we could. It wasn't just ‘lose ten pounds' it was ‘go to the gym 3 days per week, do aerobics class for 45 minutes, drink 8 glasses of water,' and so forth.

We also worked to put our goals into the present tense so it sounded like we were already doing what we said we wanted to do. That form of affirmation helps you see yourself already in the action of accomplishing all you want. So it became “I drink 8 glasses of water daily” and “I exercise my body at least 3 times a week and enjoy doing aerobics for 45 minutes each time.” You might say “I am committed to attending every class and I take notes that help me easily learn the material” or “I do the research and complete my paper on time, every time.” I think affirmations will help support your goals. You could even write them out and tape them to your bathroom mirror or inside your school notebook as a reminder of what you are working for.

Another thing we do is create a treasure collage. You could cut out pictures and words that represent what you want and post it in a place where you would look at it everyday. Maybe you'll have pictures of people reading or studying at a table. You might have a picture of a happy family relaxing together that could remind you of the balance you seek between studying and maintaining your family. Or you might want a picture of a new car or a happy executive or the house that appeals to you to show the goals you have that getting your degree will help you achieve. You can learn more about treasure collages on our goal sister web site at www.goalsisters.com . They are fun to do and are one more tool to success in your goal garden shed.

You can do it, goal sisters and goal brothers! We see you studying and enjoying the whole experience of learning that you have chosen to pursue. Onward and upward!