Paige's October Blog

2010-10-07

Goals can be general: “I want to be a millionaire” or specific: “I want to learning how to do laundry this week,” or “I want to graduating from college in 4 years,” or “ I want to go to the 2011 DECA International Career Development in Orlando Florida.” Sometimes the idea of setting a goal for yourself seems overwhelming. The hardest part though is getting started. Unfortunately, it's that grey area where you know you need to do “something,” but you are still not sure what that “something” you need to do is.
Here’s what you need to do: Break it down.
To be successful at accomplishing your goals, it is important to set some strategies for what you expect to accomplish. Goals such as, “I want to get an A in my next class,” or “I want to get first place in my Role Play Event” are realistic to accomplish if you make a plan for them. Set steps for yourself every day to accomplish that goal - like taking time to study or practice with your partner for your DECA event. However, it is also important to understand that your goals can change and that this is normal. For many people, their college major will change from the one that they originally declared. In fact: “Between 50-75% of all students who enter college with a declared major change their mind at least once before they graduate.” (Cuseo). I have personally experienced this within the past month. I had it set in my mind that I wanted my major in college to be strictly Business. But, the more that I do public speaking for DECA and the more communications classes that I take, the more that I realize that my goals have shifted. And so I plan on shifting my major from strictly business to a double major in Business and Communications; and this will be my goal for the rest of my college career (unless it changes).
This is completely normal, but it is important to remember to reevaluate your goals as they change so you can create new plans. That way, one day, you can accomplish the goals that you set for yourself!

Have fun!

Paige Dorman
Central Region Vice President