Setting Goals
What is a goal?
A goal is a clear statement of
what you want to achieve.
Short term goals can be steps
along the way to achieving a
long term goal.
Why Set a Goal?
Setting goals is an essential part for growth and development.
You create a roadmap for your personal and professional
development, helping you stay on track and achieve your
aspirations.
Why Set a Goal?
Clarity and Focus: Goals provide a clear direction and help
you focus your efforts on what's important.
Motivation: Having a goal gives you something to strive for,
which can boost your motivation and energy.
Measurement: Goals allow you to track your progress and
measure your achievements.
Why Set a Goal?
Overcoming Obstacles: They help you identify potential
challenges and plan how to overcome them.
Personal Growth: Goals encourage continuous self-
improvement and learning.
Sense of Accomplishment: Achieving a goal brings a sense
of satisfaction and fulfillment.
S M A R T
Goals
S Specific
To make a
meaningful M Measurable
and effective
goal, we can A Attainable/Achievable
use the SMART
Goal criteria. R Relevant
T Timely
S
Specific
What needs to be accomplished and what steps need to be taken to
achieve it? Who is responsible?
Define the goal clearly and precisely.
M
Measurable
When will you know when you have reached your goal? Setting clear
benchmarks will allow you to track your progress.
Determine how you will track progress and measure success.
A
Attainable
Is this a goal that you can reasonably achieve? What skills and
experience do you have to complete this goal? Try to strike a balance
between challenging and realistic.
Set realistic and attainable goals.
R
Relevant
Why are you setting this goal? Will achieving it help you now or in
the future? Think about the big picture. Your goal should be
motivating, not frustrating.
Ensure the goal aligns with your broader objectives and values.
T
Timely
When will this goal start and end? Set both an endpoint and
checkpoints throughout. Incremental deadlines can help you stay on
track.
Establish a deadline for achieving the goal.
A Pattern for Growth
Growing is an important part of Heavenly Father’s plan. To help you,
Heavenly Father gives you guidance from the Holy Ghost, the
scriptures, and living prophets. You will learn from your experiences,
especially when you rely on Jesus Christ and His Atonement.
Here’s a pattern to help
you live the gospel in all
areas of your life.
Discover
what you need to work on.
Involves a process of self-assessment and
reflection to identify areas for personal
development and improvement.
Discover
Your Needs, Gifts, and Talents
Heavenly Father has given you gifts, talents, and abilities. He wants you
to discover and develop them to make yourself, other people, and even
the world better. How can you improve and grow?
Try asking questions like:
What do I feel I should learn or change in my life?
What talents or skills do I want to gain?
What spiritual habits do I need to develop or improve?
How can I keep the covenants I made when I was baptized?
Who can I serve?
Discover
“Study it out in your mind; then … ask me if it be right.”
Doctrine and Covenants 9:8
Heavenly Father will answer these questions when you rely on Him. Pray.
Search the scriptures and the words of living prophets. Read your
patriarchal blessing, if you have one. Learn to recognize feelings and
thoughts from the Holy Ghost. He will help you know what is most
important for you right now.
Plan
how you will do it.
Involves creating a detailed
strategy to achieve your goals.
Plan
To Improve
Once you’ve decided what you are going to work on, make a plan for
how you can do it. Your plan might include specific steps or actions, or it
might include ways to develop a habit or personal quality.
Try asking questions like:
Why is this important to me?
How will this help me become more like Jesus Christ?
What actions can I take to do this?
Can I break these actions into smaller steps?
What plans can I make now to overcome challenges I may face?
Plan
“The words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.”
2 Nephi 32:3
Pray about your plan, and pay attention to the feelings and ideas you
get. You can ask for the help of the Holy Ghost, your family, and your
leaders.
Act
on your plan in faith.
This means to confidently carry
out the steps you’ve planned,
trusting that your efforts will
lead to success.
Act
To Grow in Faith
Try, Practice, Do Your Best
Follow your plan! Make reminders to help you stay focused.
You can make a note, set an alarm, or ask someone to work
with you. Sometimes working on your plan will be hard.
Sometimes you’ll fail. That’s okay! Learning what works and
does not work helps you grow.
Act
Try, Practice, Do Your Best
If you get stuck, try asking questions like:
What has worked? Why?
What has not worked? Why not?
What else can I try?
Where could I get more ideas?
Can I break my goal into smaller steps or actions?
How can I learn from setbacks?
Act
“Verily I say, [you] should be anxiously engaged in a good cause,
and do many things of [your] own free will.”
Doctrine and Covenants 58:27
Doing something well takes practice and patience. Ask your
family, friends, or leaders for help. The Savior knows you and
the challenges you face. He can help you do hard things. Pray
for help and direction.
Reflect
on what you have learned.
Ponder about your goals and
plans while you are working
on them and when you finish.
How are you feeling? What
have you learned? Writing
down thoughts and
impressions may help you
later on.
Reflect
Think, Learn, Review, Ponder
Try asking questions like:
How have I grown?
How can I use what I’ve learned to serve others?
How have my actions helped me become closer to the
Savior?
How can I continue growing in this area?
Reflect
“Ponder the path of thy feet.”
Proverbs 4:26
When you are done working on a goal or plan, thank
Heavenly Father and those who helped you. Reflect on the
Savior’s role in your life when you partake of the sacrament.
Think and pray about what you can work on next.
Setbacks
Unexpected events are a reality of life.
It is okay if you need to make adjustments
to your goal.
With each checkpoint you achieve, ask
yourself if the parameters you set are
working for you.
What obstacles may you experience? What
are some potential solutions to those
obstacles?
Get Started!
Try using the pattern of Discover, Plan, Act, and Reflect to help you
follow the Savior’s example as you grow. Consider creating goals in
each of the four areas to keep your life balanced.
Remember!!!
Your growth is up to you, but you aren’t meant to do it alone. Your
Heavenly Father wants to help you, and you can ask your parents,
leaders, and friends for help. Look for opportunities to help others in
their growth as well. Heavenly Father wants His children to love and
support each other.
Celebrate your growth! Feel good about your progress
and accomplishments. 😊
Resources
Personal Development: Youth Guidebook
Personal Development: Children’s Guidebook
For the Strength of Youth
Children and Youth Website
ChildrenandYouth.ChurchofJesusChrist.org
Gospel Living App
Available for Android and Apple mobile devices
