Success StorySMART Goals
SMART Goals
Author: Christina A. Martin
Planning Unit: Russell County CES
Major Program: Leadership
Plan of Work: Developing Human Capital
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
The Russell County 4-H program collaborated with a local elementary school to present a program on goal setting to approximately 90 fifth grade youth. Antione de Saint-Exupéry said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” In most all 4-H programs, youth learn to set goals, work toward them, and then evaluate their success. Goal-setting helps 4-H members complete projects; the 4-H record book has been the gold standard for many decades to help youth document their success toward reaching a project goal. When youth set and achieve goals, it builds satisfaction and confidence in their abilities. When they fall short of reaching a goal, they learn to accept failure without blaming others which develops maturity.
The youth were led in a discussion about the difference in short-term goals and long-term goals. They also learned how to write a SMART goal. These goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. The youth wrote a short-term goal that they could try to accomplish in approximately 30 days. The next month, the youth were given their goal back and asked if they accomplished it. Sixty-four percent (64%) of the youth indicated that they had met their goal. Comments made by the youth on the importance of setting goals and writing them down included the following:
- Helped me to stay focused
- Helped me not to give up so easily
- Helped me to be more organized
- Helped me work to get better each day
- Helped me to make a better effort
- Helped boost my confidence
One student said that setting written goals helped him meet his own expectations better.
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