Goal: noun; the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; an aim; an end.That's www.dictionary.com's definition of a goal. It's a good one at that. We apply effort to reach a specific goal we had in mind. But most people tend to lose sight of the original goal they applied their effort towards. Something might get in the way like family problems, school, or work. So many things can detract us from our original goal. In the end, we form sub-goals like: "I just want to pass this exam!" as opposed to "I want an A in this course." Big difference from wanting an A and just passing an exam.
That's why we should occasionally remind ourselves of what our true goal is. Knowing your true goal will help focus your efforts. In order to remind ourselves of our goals we might use...a list! Like this list right here of my own goals that I hope to have achieved in five years. (A time frame is always good.)
Goals to Achieve
1. My first and foremost goal is to pass the Series 7 and Series 63 licensing exams. If I want the job I'm aiming for, I need to pass these two exams in order to become a licensed stock broker. I have the job, I just need to pass the tests. This is the goal that will provide for the rest of my goals. As we all know, without the job, we don't have much in the way of achieving career oriented goals. Fortunately, this is the goal I am closest to achieving and if possible might even complete before graduation.
2. My second goal would be to be completely debt-free within those five years. It cannot be said enough how bad debt is. I transferred from a different school where I was paying a hefty sum more than at Baruch. Loans and bills eventually add up and I support my younger sister financially as well. Those two things lead to a bad combination of debt. Rule of the land everyone: Stay as far away from debt as you can unless you really need it. So hopefully I can keep away from the debt and come out debt free within five years. I don't expect it will take me too long to be out of debt, but there are always different situations to which we must adapt.
3. A third goal would be to achieve Senior VP status at the firm I am currently at or at any other firm. Surprisingly this goal isn't really about seniority but about how much money you pull into the firm. The better you are at your job, the more power you have at the firm itself. So for those of you at the trading desks...work hard and you'll move up quickly. I know I'll be focusing on moving up.
4. A goal that will most likely be similar with many of yours, or one that you may have completed already (Congratulations if you did!), is finding a place of my own to live. Eventually we need to move on with our lives and learn independence. Once you find a place of your own you can truly make decisions for yourself that affect more things such as paying rent. Paying rent is more important than using your last buck partying. For me, finding a place of my own will bring me that independence and bring some calm to my life from the hectic home life. Of course once the rent bill comes, I'm sure I won't be as calm.
Well, as you can see, all my goals are inter-related with each other. One goal will lead to the next and so on. If everything works out, our goals should be achieved. However, just remember goals are an aim. We all have to adjust accordingly to our situation; that's why we create the subgoals. However, don't lose sight of the primary goal in the mass of subgoals. Make sure your subgoals aim towards your primary goal.
In any case, I hope all our goals work out and we work hard for them. Good luck.
Hope to see great goals and plans for those goals in your life too.
