Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/54710
How do I set my own goals? There's an easy way to set goals – remember that you're setting SMART goals. Specific Measureable Attainable Realistic Timely S for Specific Your goal needs to be clearer. You might think: "This year I M for Measureable Can you measure the results of your goal? You might have set yourself a want to make a difference in my community." Great idea – but you need to be more specific. Like you need to give a bit more detail… For example: "I will try to make a difference in my community goal of: "Being the best at netball." But how can you measure that? How will you know when you have achieved it? It might be better to set a goal like this: "I will try out for netball, and no matter which team I am in, I will go to every single practise, and do my very best to help the team win games." A for Attainable Attainable means that the goal should be within your reach. You might wish that you would grow really fast so you can be as tall as the other boys in the class – but you can't control that no matter how hard you try. It's out of your reach. But you could set a slightly different goal: R for Realistic It's important that your goals are realistic – otherwise you might feel disappointed. An unrealistic goal might be: I will be a rock star with worldwide fame by 2013. Now hey, you might be awesome – but have you even formed a band yet? Do you know how to play anything? It might take you a bit longer than that to achieve worldwide fame as well. A more realistic goal would be: "I am going to practise my guitar for an hour every day, find three other people to be in a band with, and learn five new songs." But what if...? "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." – HENRY FORD Sometimes – because we're human – we have heaps of worries. We think that we're not good enough to do that, or it will be too hard, or no-one will want to do it with you, or others will laugh at us if we don't do it right. But how do you know unless you try? You'll be surprised at what you can achieve if you just give it a go. If it doesn't work out – don't worry, just try again, or try something else. Sometimes, you can't achieve your goal on your own. Don't be shy about asking for some help to plan something, learn something, or find something. ASB's terms & conditions and account opening criteria apply. ASB's current Disclosure Statement is available free of charge from any ASB branch. Available to customers 18yrs or under. Service charges apply. www.upstartmag.co.nz 25 T for Timely This is the deadline bit. The problem with goals without deadlines is that there's no motivation to get it done... you'll achieve it one day, right? But if you set yourself a time when you have to have it done by, you're more likely to do it. Don't ask me why human brains work like that, they just do. So, it might look like this: "I will work to have $100 in my savings account by December 2012." "I will eat healthy, do some exercise every day, and hope I get that growth spurt real soon!" " Get your savings set for Summer Start saving this Summer with ASB Headstart. It's a special account for under 18s that gives you interest on every dollar and regular statements so you can see your savings grow. Ask a grown up to help you open an ASB Headstart account today. ASB Bank Limited PPU36909 m ach cle a be y friends , f amily and neighbour t b an-up in S y or ep ember this y s t o ha ganisinge v e ar .