Reflection on my SMART Goals
Introduction
The goals I set are important as they are specifically aiming towards an improved and joyous outcome. Focusing on my studies and school work will result in improving my grades. The goal precisely targets an improvement in grades. Scoring high grades is fundamental to completing and passing with honors in my course. The other goal aims at accomplishing losing weight. It is a specific objective for living a healthy lifestyle. Its steps involve activities that particularly aim for cutting my weight by 80 pounds within a span of one year. Getting an accounting job on the other hand is an important goal that directly links to the skills and expertise I am studying for. It precisely aims to place me in a position that grows my accounting skills. It is a useful goal that also specifically aims to grow my career field.
Body
I was able to partially attain my goal of focusing on my school work and studies. I aimed to read a book at least an hour but sometimes I skip some days or fail to complete an entire hour focusing on a book. In terms of focusing on my school work, I am generally dedicating more time to my studies. Any free and extra time I get I indulge in studying and focusing on my school work. One key challenge is working while studying. Trying to read after working is exhaustive and compromises my focus. A solution to the challenge I realized is dedicating time to study before getting to work. This approach allows me to study while still fresh and without fatigue. My classmates were supportive in achieving this goal through study groups.
Getting in shape is a goal that is yet to bear fruit. The target weight am focusing on to achieve is still far from my current weight. However, I am gradually cutting back on my calorie intake. A key challenge I face towards achieving my physical wellness and healthy lifestyle targets is following through with my work-out program. Sometimes I skip the walk schedules and home exercise routines. To beat this challenge I have taken to strictly responding to the notifications reminding me of my exercising schedule. Also, I have joined others aiming to lose weight and I have started working out together with them. Despite being far from hitting my target weight, the colleagues I am working out with have been really supportive towards focusing on keeping fit.
As for getting a job that relates to the accounting field, I am yet to attain this goal. My network on LinkedIn is strongly growing but the connections I have acquired so far have not been able to recruit me for an accounting task. One aspect that makes accomplishing this goal problematic is attracting the appropriate audience on my LinkedIn profile. The LinkedIn network consists of millions of users offering and seeking diverse services, therefore finding only the individuals that specifically are interested in the accounting field is complex and tasking. A solution to the challenge I realized is following trends and pages on LinkedIn that provide information on accounting jobs on offer. Seeking advice from previous graduates who are now in their careers guide me in following through with this goal.
Summary
Developing a SMART framework was really helpful in achieving my goals and focusing on them. It assisted in coming up with a specific strategy to follow through on to accomplish targeted outcomes. One meaningful life goal that now seems achievable is starting and raising a family. These goals have motivated me towards overcoming my fears and having a family is one of my long-time fears.
Step Two
The app Lose Belly Fat at Home was really effective in working towards my goal of getting in shape. I use the app frequently as it is my default source of information for work-out routines. It also serves as my tracker to my progress in losing weight. I use it every day. The app assisted me to attain the measurable aspect of the SMART goals. Lose Belly Fat Home provides a progressive exercising routine that increases the difficulty levels as one uses it. The feature hence allows one to track the steps covered and burn-out levels and performance. One element I would change regarding the application is including an additional feature of connecting the users through a chat platform that allows them to share ideas. The feature would allow users to learn from each other and in setting group goals which would grow the participants’ motivation.
Step Three
The advice I would give someone trying to focus more on school and studying more is to join study groups and identify study methods that involve a team effort. Studying alone is challenging as a lot of factors surrounding school life are distractive, however finding several colleagues whose study goals align with yours can be motivational and keeps one focused. I will reflect deeper on the goals I set next semester to assist me in achieving them. Taking time to reflect on the goals I set will enable me to come up with enhanced insights on these goals as well as allow me to realize what I really want.