A goal is something that you want to achieve. It is the “what you want to do.” Goals can be relatively short term (1 year) or much longer in duration. Because of its general nature, a goal is not always measurable in and of itself, but provides direction and focus for more specific statements known as objects and action steps. The farther away in time the goal is away from this moment, the less we can see in terms of how to accomplish it. For example, if you reflect back upon your decision path to attend graduate school, the farther away you were from making it happen, the less you knew about how it was going to happen. As you moved closer towards making your decision, it became less a statement about “I want to attend graduate school” and more a statement of “I want to attend graduate school at Walden University.”
There are many key areas in life that afford you opportunities to become successful. Write at least one goal for each key life area. Include goals for 1 year, 5 years, 15 years, and 20 years:
Sample Mental and Education One–Year Goal:
To develop a tribal leadership program for indigenous people around the world that is steeped in indigenous traditions and is aligned with their spiritual practices.
Action Statements
An action statement is just what it implies. It is a statement of intended actions in order to achieve a goal. It helps us to outline what we have to do in order to accomplish something of interest.
Sample Action Statement
In order to create a tribal leadership program, I will find a platform and the resources to create this program. Since I do not have the resources on my own, I will find like-minded people who share this vision to help me fulfill my dream of helping indigenous people improve their lives. I want to accomplish this within five years.
Objectives
Objectives are measurable statements that are aligned with individual goals. The statement has a definite time frame associated with it and often includes specific numbers.
Sample One–Year Objective:
I will write a proposal by July 31, 20__ for funding the pilot tribal leadership program at one American Indian reservation.
Use the format described above to write your Portfolio of Visions. Write at least one goal and action statement for each key life area. Write at least one objective for each goal during the first year only.
Listed below are the several key areas:
I. Family and Home
Establish at least one Goal and one Action Step for the following time periods:
· 1 year
Goal:
Action Statement:
· 5 years
Goal:
Action Statement:
· 15 years
Goal:
Action Statement:
· 20 years
Goal:
Action Statement:
In addition, also include an Objective for each of your 1-year goals.
Objective:
II. Financial and Career
Establish at least one Goal and one Action Step for the following time periods:
· 1 year
Goal:
Action Statement:
· 5 years
Goal:
Action Statement:
· 15 years
Goal:
Action Statement:
· 20 years
Goal:
Action Statement:
In addition, also include an Objective for each of your 1-year goals.
Objective:
III. Spiritual and Ethical
Establish at least one Goal and one Action Step for the following time periods:
· 1 year
Goal:
Action Statement:
· 5 years
Goal:
Action Statement:
· 15 years
Goal:
Action Statement:
· 20 years
Goal:
Action Statement:
In addition, also include an Objective for each of your 1-year goals.
Objective:
IV. Physical and Health
Establish at least one Goal and one Action Step for the following time periods:
· 1 year
Goal:
Action Statement:
· 5 years
Goal:
Action Statement:
· 15 years
Goal:
Action Statement:
· 20 years
Goal:
Action Statement:
In addition, also include an Objective for each of your 1-year goals.
Objective:
V. Social and Cultural
Establish at least one Goal and one Action Step for the following time periods:
· 1 year
Goal:
Action Statement:
· 5 years
Goal:
Action Statement:
