Organisation

Goal setting is the process of defining a goal you want to achieve, and making an action plan to achieve that goal.

The first step is to define your goal. The ‘SMART’ method is one way to ensure your goal is well thought-out. SMART is an anagram for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely (more detail in the image below).

The second step is to make an action plan. To do this, break down the goal into smaller, more achievable goals, called milestones. This will keep you on track by gradually progress toward your goal. For example, if your goal is to run five kilometres in 12 weeks, you may have a milestone of 500 metres on week one, 1 kilometre on week two, etc..

Time management is the ability to use your time effectively to complete tasks and meet deadlines.

Time management is needed to achieve your goals. As they say, ‘success doesn’t happen overnight’. You need to schedule time to work on your goals to get closer to meeting them. For example, if your goal is to run 5 kilometres in 12 weeks’ time, you need to schedule in time to train in order to improve your fitness and reach your goal.

So how can you practice time management? Here are some ideas:

• Write a list of things you need to do
• Prioritise important tasks
• Declutter your house and give everything a ‘home’ – this will reduce time wasted searching for particular objects
• If you find yourself procrastinating, you might choose to tick off easier tasks first to give you the motivation you need to tackle the more challenging ones
• Highlight your deadlines on a calendar to make them stand out
• Plan your weekly schedule – work out when you will be doing the important tasks. For example, if you need to complete an assignment, will you work on it for an hour each night or spend the whole day Saturday to finish it?
• Ensure you allow yourself time for self-care – our wellbeing has a direct impact on our productivity!