My Goal Compass: Navigating Your Future

Section 1: Charting Your Course

Take a moment to dream big! What are some things you hope to achieve in your life? These can be personal, academic, career-related, or anything else important to you.

1. Long-Term Dream Goal (5+ years from now): What is one big dream you have for your future?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Why is this dream important to you? How would achieving it make you feel or impact your life?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Now, let's think about the next year. What is one significant goal you want to achieve within the next 12 months that aligns with your long-term dream or is important on its own?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Why is this 1-year goal important to you right now?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Section 2: Setting Sail with SMART Steps

Let's take your 1-year goal and make it SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).

My 1-Year Goal: (Write it here again)

1. Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve? Be precise.
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Measurable: How will you know when you've achieved it? What metrics or evidence will you use?
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Achievable: Is this goal realistic and attainable given your resources and abilities? What resources might you need?
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Relevant: Why is this goal important to you? How does it align with your values or other life objectives?
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Time-bound: What is your target date for achieving this goal?
   
   
   
   

Section 3: Your Action Plan - First Steps Forward

Now, let's break your SMART 1-year goal into smaller, actionable steps.

My SMART 1-Year Goal: (Write it one last time)

List the first 3-5 concrete steps you can take to start working towards this goal. For each step, identify a target completion date.

1. Step 1:
   
   
   Target Date:
   
   
   

2. Step 2:
   
   
   Target Date:
   
   
   

3. Step 3:
   
   
   Target Date:
   
   
   

4. Step 4 (Optional):
   
   
   Target Date:
   
   
   

5. Step 5 (Optional):
   
   
   Target Date:
   
   
   

Section 4: Obstacle Course & Support Crew

1. What are some potential challenges or obstacles you might face while working on your goal?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. How will you overcome these obstacles? What strategies will you use?
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Who can support you in achieving this goal (friends, family, mentors, etc.)?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Section 5: My Commitment

I commit to working on my goal of:

My first step will be:

I will complete this first step by (Date):

Signed:

Date:

Goal Setting Coach Script

Introduction & Hook (5 minutes)

(Coach): "Hey there! Thanks for coming in. I'm really excited to chat with you today about something I think is super impactful: goal setting. What's your initial thought when you hear 'setting goals' – what comes to mind for you?"

(Coach): "Awesome! You know, today isn't just about setting 'perfect' goals, it's about figuring out your goals. The ones that truly light you up and can guide your path forward, almost like your own personal North Star. (Transition to Goal Setting Journey Slide Deck - Slide 1 & 2). When we set clear goals, it can really give us direction, boost our motivation, and help us achieve things we might not even realize are possible right now."

(Coach): "To get us started, can you think of a time you achieved something you were really proud of? Even if it was a small victory, like learning a new skill or nailing a tough assignment. What did that feel like from the moment you decided to do it, all the way to when you actually pulled it off?"

Exploring Aspirations (10 minutes)

(Coach): "Alright, now I'm going to hand you a worksheet called My Goal Compass. Think of this as your personal map for navigating your future. Let's dive into Section 1: Charting Your Course. No need to be perfect here, just let your ideas flow."

(Coach): "Let's start with Question 1: Long-Term Dream Goal (5+ years from now). Feel free to close your eyes for a moment if that helps. Imagine your life 5 or even 10 years down the road. What does it genuinely look like? What's one big, exciting dream you hold for your future? It could be anything at all—personal growth, academic success, a career aspiration, a skill you're passionate about mastering. What's sparking your imagination?"

(Coach): "That sounds like an incredible dream! Now, for Question 2: Why is this dream important to you? How would achieving it truly make you feel, or what kind of impact would it have on your life? What core values does this dream connect with for you?"

(Coach): "Beautiful. Let's bring that energy a bit closer to the present. Look at Question 3: Now, let's think about the next year. What's one significant goal you really want to achieve within the next 12 months? Does it move you closer to that big dream, or is it something super important for you right now, independently?"

(Coach): "And for Question 4: Why is this 1-year goal important to you right now? What makes it a current priority in your life?"

Breaking Down Goals (10 minutes)

(Coach): "Fantastic. Now that we have a clear 1-year goal, let's supercharge it by making it SMART. (Transition to Goal Setting Journey Slide Deck - Slide 3 & 4). Remember, SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. We're going to use each part to really sharpen your goal."

(Coach): "Let's head over to Section 2 of your My Goal Compass Worksheet. Please write your 1-year goal again at the top of this section."

(Coach): "Now, for each letter of SMART, let's refine your goal:

• Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve? Be super clear. Instead of just 'do better in classes,' maybe it's 'achieve a B or higher in Biology and Calculus.' Think about the 'who, what, when, where, and why' of your goal."

• Measurable: How will you know when you've achieved it? What concrete metrics, data, or evidence will tell you you've succeeded? How can you track your progress along the way? For example, if your goal is to 'exercise more,' how will you measure that? By number of workouts, duration, or intensity?"

• Achievable: Is this goal realistic and attainable given your current resources, skills, and time? It should feel like a good stretch, but still definitely possible. What might you need to learn or acquire, and is that genuinely feasible?"

• Relevant: Why is this goal important to you right now? How does it truly align with your values, your long-term dreams, or other important life objectives? Does it feel meaningful and worthwhile to pursue?"

• Time-bound: What's your target date or a specific deadline for achieving this goal? Having a clear timeframe really creates a sense of urgency and helps you stay focused. When will you realistically start, and when do you plan to finish?"

(Coach): "As you can see on the slide, an example of a SMART goal could be: 'Improve my Biology grade to an A by the end of the semester by attending weekly study sessions and completing all extra credit assignments.' This goal checks all the SMART boxes. Let's use this kind of thinking to refine your goal."

(Coach): "Excellent! Now that your goal is super SMART, let's look at Section 3: Your Action Plan. Even the biggest adventures start with a single step, right? What are the first 3-5 concrete actions you can take, starting pretty soon, to move towards your SMART goal? And for each step, when do you realistically think you can complete it? These should be specific, bite-sized tasks, not just broad ideas."

Commitment & Next Steps (5 minutes)

(Coach): "You've really put in some fantastic work today! Let's just briefly touch on Section 4: Obstacle Course & Support Crew. It's totally normal to hit a few bumps in the road, so let's think ahead. What are some potential challenges or obstacles you anticipate while working on your goal? And crucially, how might you respond to them? What's your backup plan or strategy?"

(Coach): "Also, who in your life can be your 'support crew'? Who can be there to cheer you on, offer advice, or just lend an ear when you need it? Identifying these people can be incredibly helpful."

(Coach): "Finally, Section 5: My Commitment. This is your chance to make a powerful promise to yourself. Please fill out these last few lines. What is your goal, what's your very first specific step, and by when will you complete that first step? Writing it down really makes it feel more real and actionable."

(Coach): "Remember, this My Goal Compass Worksheet isn't set in stone; it's a living document. You can revisit it, adjust it as things change, and absolutely celebrate all your progress along the way. I'm genuinely impressed by the thought and effort you've put into this today. Keep this worksheet somewhere you'll see it often, and let's plan to check in on your progress next time. You've got this!"