We want the fame, the six-figure salary, the esteem, the stability, the comfort and the first-class lifestyle.
But how do we get there? We pursue a degree, take on internships, work shitty jobs to put ourselves through college and make mistakes (and learn from them), all in the name of success. And you're smart, you know that a college degree will give you a leg up in the world of a competitive job market. But when that degree feels so far off, what can you do to work towards success right now?
Instantaneous results are really what we crave, so it can be easy to ditch one night of homework for a night out on the town when your focus is instant gratification. That night out might be the time of your life, but is it at the right time? Would staying in and studying for the exam you have the next day and going out another night put you another step forward to success? These are the questions you have to ask yourself when making every day count to your success goals
First step: Make a SMART goal. Yawn. I know, you've heard this in every college class you've ever taken. Because it works. Make sure your goal is:
a) Specific
b) Measurable
c) Attainable
d) Results-focused
e) Time-bound
If you need more clarification on this, do yourself a favor and google it!
Second step: Make a plan! If I could make a tailored plan to every reader of this article, I would (or maybe I'm just saying that to be nice, because it's impossible). But your problems aren't my responsibility (there goes nice Jamie). Your focus, your issues, your goals aren't your friend's problem, or your parent's; they're yours. So it's up to you to figure out how to get where you want to be.
You can take this advice to be vague and frustrating, or you can use it as empowering motivation. Your life is in your own hands, so do something with it! Ask yourself the hard-hitting questions. Would giving up drinking for the next three months of your schooling translate into a more dedicated study time, and in turn better grades? Would taking on an internship place you in the right industry at the right time, even if it does mean more (unpaid) work? Would placing your phone in a drawer while you study help you retain information? Asking these questions can help you formulate a plan you can see immediate results from.
Step three: Adjust when something isn't working. Failing a class? Tired and groggy all the time? Hate your roommates? Not getting the results you thought you would with whatever your current plan is? CHANGE SOMETHING! Your plan doesn't have to be set in stone.
Let's say your goal is to obtain a college degree, for which you are already in school pursuing. You decide to make a short-term goal of staying in on Friday night to study and catch up on homework for the next week. Your grades are improving after three weeks, but you're miserable because you're missing the socialization of going out with your friends that night. Change something! Pick a different time slot to study, or break it up over several days so you can have both. Success comes with sacrifices, but if you're smart, you can minimize those sacrifices to get the best of both worlds.
RECAP
Make a goal, plan, and adjust if necessary. Nothing you haven't seen before. Remember, the way you make your goal counts, so make it SMART. Motivate yourself with results you see from applying your plan, and adjust if you don't like the results. Keep in mind short- and long-term goals: studying during your free time instead of watching "Scandal" (difficult, I know), to obtain good grades, to obtain a degree, and before you know it, that six-figure salary will hit you out of nowhere.
