CS113 Unit 7 Reading Page 1: There Are Four Items To Complet

Cs113unit7readingpage1readingthere Are Four Items To Complete In

There are four items to complete in this reading area: 1. Reading 2. Challenge Activity 3. Powerful Words for a Powerful Vocabulary 4. Successories I.

Reading: Why Set Goals? Why set goals? Having a clear direction for your future and a picture of what you plan to do is extremely important for maintaining a positive attitude. Having clear goals is a key to creating and maintaining a positive mindset even when “things get tough.”

Qualities of Goals: In order for goals to be useful, they need to have the following qualities:

• The goals that you set for yourself must be based on your values and beliefs.
• No one else can choose goals for you. Others can make suggestions, but you must "own" your goals for them to be useful.
• You must decide what you want to achieve.

Life Lesson: Chinese Proverb Goal Setting and Planning In this unit, you will be focusing on goal setting and planning. In order to set realistic goals for yourself, you must first have a clear understanding of what is important to you. You will also begin planning ahead for your Unit 8 project by setting up an interview with a professional in your chosen field. Goal Setting In Unit 7 you investigate the power of setting goals. You seek to recognize the importance of goal setting and actually apply this S.M.A.R.T. concept to your Unit 7 interview with completion and submission of your project in Unit 8.

Paper For Above instruction

Effective goal setting is a fundamental component of personal and professional development. It provides individuals with a clear roadmap to follow, fostering motivation, focus, and a sense of achievement. This paper explores the importance of goal setting, the qualities that make goals effective, the distinction between short-term and long-term goals, and the application of the S.M.A.R.T. framework in achieving objectives.

Goals serve as a guiding compass, directing efforts toward desired outcomes while reinforcing positive attitudes, especially in challenging situations. Clear, well-defined goals rooted in personal values and beliefs are more likely to be meaningful and motivating. As highlighted by Locke and Latham (2002), goals that are specific and challenging facilitate higher performance levels because they induce effort and perseverance. Moreover, Owning one's goals ensures personal commitment, increasing the likelihood of success (Schunk, 2012).

The qualities of effective goals include specificity, measurability, attainability, relevance, and time-bound constraints—collectively summarized as the S.M.A.R.T. criteria. This framework aids individuals in creating realistic and actionable objectives. For instance, rather than setting a vague goal like "be healthier," a S.M.A.R.T. goal would be "exercise for 30 minutes five times a week for the next three months."

Goals can be categorized into short-term and long-term objectives. Short-term goals are achievable within days, weeks, or months and help maintain motivation through frequent accomplishments. In contrast, long-term goals span years and include broader achievements such as career aspirations or retirement planning. Effective planning involves breaking down long-term goals into smaller, manageable short-term goals. This approach enhances motivation and allows for regular assessment of progress.

The distinction between performance and outcome goals is also crucial. Performance goals focus on personal effort and process, granting more control over outcomes, such as practicing interview skills or improving specific competencies. Outcome goals, like securing a job or grade, depend partly on external factors, making performance goals generally more realistic and controllable (Drucker, 2001).

The application of the S.M.A.R.T. framework ensures that goals remain relevant and attainable. Specificity ensures clarity; measurable criteria track progress; action orientation encourages proactive behavior; realism prevents discouragement; and deadlines maintain momentum. Additionally, the five principles of goal setting—clarity, challenge, commitment, feedback, and revision—further facilitate success (Locke & Latham, 2002).

Networking is another vital skill that supports goal achievement. Building a personal network enables individuals to gain insights, mentorship, and opportunities. Resources such as online tutorials and seminars can help learners understand effective networking strategies, which complement goal-setting efforts and open pathways toward career advancement.

Finally, continuous learning and application of strategies like S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals—an extension of the original framework—encourage persistence and adaptability. Repeated practice of goal-setting and networking skills fosters habits of success, enhancing overall growth and performance in various life domains (Petersen, 2017).

In conclusion, purposeful goal setting, underpinned by clear criteria like the S.M.A.R.T. methodology, combined with active networking and self-awareness, equips individuals to navigate life’s challenges and opportunities effectively. Focusing on realistic, measurable, and time-bound objectives ensures steady progress and personal fulfillment, ultimately leading to academic and career success.

References

• Drucker, P. F. (2001). The effective executive: The definitive guide to getting the right things done. HarperBusiness.
• Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American Psychologist, 57(9), 705–717.
• McGregor, J. (2018). Building your network: The art of effective networking. Journal of Career Development, 45(4), 376-389.
• Owens, R. G. (2016). Organizational behavior in health care. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Petersen, K. (2017). Mastering goal setting: Strategies for success. Journal of Personal Development, 8(2), 112–124.
• Schunk, D. H. (2012). Motivation in education: Theory, research, and practice. Pearson Higher Ed.
• Smith, J. (2015). Effective communication: Strategies for success. Communication Journal, 29(3), 44-53.
• Velasquez, M. (2014). Business ethics: Concepts and cases. Pearson.
• Wilson, T. D. (2017). Redirect: The power of using positive psychology to change your life. Little, Brown.
• Yount, B. (2019). Goal setting and achievement: Techniques and tools. New Directions in Psychology, 15(1), 22–30.