Be SMART and set personal goals for yourself!

Effective goals should be:

S-  specific

M- measurable for improved evaluation

A-  action-oriented; focusing on action rather than personal qualities

R-  realistic

T-  timely; targeted deadlines help increase motivation

EX:  Earn a GPA of 3.3 or better and make the Dean’s List this semester.

EX:  In my Rhetoric class, write an essay that contains no more than 2 non-standard  errors.

EX:  Learn three new strategies this week for managing my time more effectively from the Office of Academic Success.

Motivational Strategies 

1.     Set clear, purposeful goals for yourself and take action!  Do you have a Power Goal? Create a focus for your life; the planning will pay great dividends.

2.     Create smaller goals with intermediate rewards- Reward yourself only after your sub-goals are met.

3.     Place motivational pictures or sayings in your environment

4.     Visualize your dream or ideal future and play that character

¡       Relax

¡       Use present tense verbs

¡       Use all five senses: What do you see, smell, taste, touch and hear?

¡       Include emotion- imagine yourself feeling great in the accomplishment

5.     Visualize a great start

6.     Use personal affirmations.  Believe in yourself!

¡       I am _____________________ OR (your name here) is __________________

¡       Repeat your affirmations daily (most effective when repeated during a repetitive motion)

¡       Dispute your inner critic- recall an event when you displayed that characteristic

¡       Align your words and your deeds- BE your desired characteristic

7.     Read or listen to success/motivational materials

8.     Set up little reminders on your goals- The Whys—Purpose gives you a push!

9.     Develop an energy plan for eating, sleeping and exercising

10. Have an accountability partner(s) and/or work in a group.

11. Create a friendly competition and or make tasks enjoyable.

12. Get on your death bed—what will your eulogist declare at the pulpit?

13. Surround yourself with inspirational and goal-oriented people.

14. Say “No” to yourself.  Increasing your self-discipline will increase your self-respect.

15. Move your goalposts!  Get out of your comfort zone and set challenging, but realistic goals for yourself.

16. Dribble with your other hand.  It’s not that you can’t, it is that you haven’t. Take a chance and try something new.  Give yourself a chance to master it before you try something else.  It will take time to learn a new skill.

Practical Suggestions

For Motivating Yourself Academically

1.      Spend time studying everyday so the work does not pile up

2.      As soon as you get an assignment do some work on it right away

3.      Keep the momentum up

a.       Don’t start a project and then put it down for too long

b.      Work on the project a little each day

4.      Break large tasks into smaller tasks.  You can’t eat an elephant in one sitting.

a.       Make the small tasks accomplishable in a reasonable amount of time

b.      Mark them off when you have accomplished each subtasks to show your progress

5.      Every time you sit down to study, set a minimal goal and accomplish it

6.      Don’t expect your initial efforts to be your final efforts

a.       Allow yourself the time to get your ideas and thoughts down without having to make them pristine the first time

b.      Take the pressure off yourself to get it perfect the first time and you will be more motivated to begin.

7.      Reward yourself after (not before) the study session by doing something pleasurable

8.      If it is difficult for you to start studying, leave yourself a 10 minute project.  Once you finish the 10 minute job, it will increase your motivation to continue.

9.      If you get stuck on an assignment, ask for help from an instructor, advisor, peer or tutor

10.  Always study when you are alert and plan on studying during your “ON” hours

11.  Use relaxation exercises to put yourself into a positive mood before studying

12.  Make sure your study area and materials are organized and accessible

a.       Don’t use cleaning as a means of procrastination

b.      Always keep your study area and materials organized

13.  Set aside some time each day to generate your “To Do” List for the next study session and/or day

Practical Suggestions was adapted from Study For Success by Meredith D. Gall, Ph. D. with Joyce P. Gall, Ph. D.