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STAGE FOUR : THE GOALS : WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD
Goals are scheduling when you will complete each milestone and how you will travel from one milestone to the next. Once the path and milestones are clear, creating good concise measurable goals is easy. Here are some questions you can use to create good goals:
- What must be completed in order to pass the next milestone?
- For example, in order to attend a college welding class in dual enrollment this year, my son will need to apply for the local college by May. His goal now has a deadline of the end of April.
- How much time does this milestone require, and how much time do I have?
- Does the application process take time? Do you need to study for the permit test before taking it? What is the time requirement and how do you propose to fulfill it? Time is truly our only finite resource. Everything else God has given us in abundance or can be increased, but time is set and ticking. Plan accordingly.
- What courses are required in order to pass these milestones?
- Are specific courses required in order to pass that milestone? Do you need to take algebra before chemistry? Each course you 'forgot' to take is a semester long fix, try to think proactively, ask some experts, seek help and instruction.
- Is the focus of my destination being integrated into my weekly work?
- This is something we can easily lose sight of. It is easy to get so bogged down in the day to day, that we forget to make sure that our tasks are in fact working towards a greater goal. Every task you need to complete should be a clear marker for the direction that you wish to go. If it isn't, then back up, reanalyze your milestones, and adjust.
You may have noticed that in order to create these goals, you are actually walking this path backward. Thus, we come to Mr. Covey and his effective people: Begin with the end in mind.
Please remember that just because these stages and the student roadmap that contains them are designed to be completed by your student doesn't mean he must complete them alone. Seeking out expert advice, a mentor, more information about specific requirements, and suggestions are signs of maturity. Proverbs tell us that the wise man seeks instruction. Encourage your young men and women to plan ahead, chase those decisions, and seek wise counsel.
- Want more help creating a roadmap for your student?
- Join Scio Academy to receive access to all of our great resources in the educator's toolbox designed to help you lead your student through the middle and high school years.