At one point in life, we are all told to think about goals we want to accomplish for ourselves. It is said that they help organize our lives and give a clear view of what we want. Some are goals to accomplish in a week, and other are more long term. In elementary school, my teachers often told us to come up with goals for the grading period or even the whole year. Mine would often be to do all my homework, get good grades, and work my hardest. For my softball teams my goals were to make as few errors as possible, listen to my coaches, work hard every practice and always swing as hard as I can. At the end of the school year or season I would reflect on what goals I had accomplished.
When given the task of coming up with goals we aren’t really given an explanation of why they are so important in our lives. When I set a goal, it gives me something to strive for. I set my mind to it and work extremely hard until it is accomplished. The feeling that comes from the accomplishment makes all the hard work worth it. Having confidence that we can succeed in life is a big part of growing. As a kid and throughout life we have dreams. Setting the goals to make the dreams come true is the first step in accomplishing them.
The goals I set for myself in college are a lot different than the ones set in elementary school. My goals now specifically relate to what I want my future to be. When someone asks me what my goals are at my age now, I think of what I want after college. I am often afraid to set my goals too high in fear that I may not reach them. I’ve learned that it’s okay to be afraid, but it’s also okay to strive for the best. Holding myself to a higher standard allows me to gain more confidence when I meet my goal.
Some goals I have for the rest of my life are to graduate college, get a job, get married, and raise a family, among other smaller things. Striving towards these goals makes me excited for the rest of my life. I’ll get to meet so many new and great people and keep the friendships I have now. Having things to work towards gives me a purpose for doing everything. I can be who I want and do what I want to become a better me. Making these goals happen isn’t possible without great friends and family to help along the way.
Next time I’m asked to make a list of my goals, I’m going to make them with the thought in mind that I want them to benefit my future. They might not always happen right away, but they will at the right time. We are all meant to succeed in life. With hard work and staying on track it is possible. Goals are important no matter how big or how small.
