Goals:  Chart and Journal Activities Visualization must precede actualization. A dream without a goal is just a wish. Bill Cole (Focus Question: What are my three most important goals for this year & how will I achieve these?)

Roles & Goals Chart

Begin by taking inventory of yourself. Fill out the chart below.
Three roles have already been identified for your. Think of other roles you may have:
 church member, friend, relative, ...

Journal:

• Recall Covey's statement: "What one simple action, if done simply and repeatedly, would greatly improve  my life?" 

• Personalize Covey's statement & ask yourself  which one simple action, if done simply and repeatedly would greatly improve my life as a student, my life as  an employee, my life as a family member...?  Write down the answer for each of your roles.

• What is one action I can take this week to meet each of my weekly goals?

The rest of this journal activity will focus on writing an affirmation for yourself

1.  Draw a straight vertical line dividing a sheet of paper in half.

2. On the left side, write qualities you have that make you an excellent student.

3. On the right side, write attributes that may hinder you from becoming an honor roll student. 

4. Take five minutes for this exercise.   Once you've completed the exercise, circle the three "hindrances" that you'd most like to overcome.
   

Next write 3  personal affirmations per the following instructions:

First, transform "attributes that may hinder you" into affirmations.
For example, if your "hindrances" are  not organized, not motivated, not confident, 
your 3 affirmation would be patterned after the three following affirmations

Next, circle the affirmation you like best and write it on  2 index cards (one to be scotch taped  in your journal & the other to be given to me.)

Finally, write a commitment to yourself on the last page of the journal regarding when (each day)  you will repeat these affirmations (at every stop sign - at every red light, while driving to school, before studying, upon getting up....)  Find a time that works best for you & stick to it.

Classroom Exercise:

Time permitting:  I will distribute  the affirmation cards that were given to me & will have students read these to one another (as if they were your own).  After the card is read , the individual will respond, "Yes, I know, Louise."

Note:  Some of the ideas for this exercise come from the Skip Downing workshop

Many time management experts believe in monitoring your accomplishments by checking each activity that you've completed.  Below is a sample chart that can assist you in "checking" your accomplishments

Goal-monitoring chart

Before creating a chart for yourself, ask, "What one simple action, if done simply and repeatedly, would greatly improve  my life?"

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