DEFINING AND ACHIEVING GOALS
One personal ___(1)___ goal that many people set for themselves is "I want to learn a new language." The problem with this is that learning a language can be a lifelong task. Phrased this way, the goal is too ___(2)___ and too long-term, plus it does not define how you will know that you have achieved the goal.
Step 1: Break the goal into smaller, achievable steps.
To start with, choose a ___(3)___ short-term goal, for example, "I want to take a basic Spanish class" or "My English is quite good, but I want to be able to tell jokes in English."
Step 2: Define how you are going to achieve Step 1.
Will you join a class or ___(4)___ on an online course? Will you teach yourself at home? Will you listen to English comedians on YouTube?
Step 3: Define how you will know that you have achieved your goal.
You need to know that you have achieved your first, small goal before moving on to setting the next goal. How will you do this? Will you know that you have succeeded when you pass a test or complete a course, or manage to make somebody laugh when you tell a joke? Define what your ___(5)___ for success will be before you set out to achieve that goal.
Step 4: Once your first small goal has been achieved, you can set the next one.
Follow and repeat Steps 1 to 3 as often as needed until you achieve your big goal. This way you program yourself for success instead of ___(6)___!