People use goal setting worksheets to define and outline their goals, as well as the timeline for achieving them. They can be used in a variety of settings, including special education for disabled children and career planning. A number of companies make goal-setting worksheets available for people to use and adapt, often for free. It’s also possible to make your own from scratch. Worksheets and other materials may be provided to people working with a therapist or coach to use and work on at home.
A goal-setting worksheet includes a space for defining a timeline, such as “Within three months, I will…”, as well as one or more goal-setting slots. Each goal has a distinct name and is well-defined. A student might write on a school worksheet, “Improve my spelling tests,” and then elaborate by saying that test scores should improve by at least 20 points, or that the student is aiming for a B average in spelling exams. The more clearly defined a goal is, the easier it is for the individual to evaluate personal success.
On goal setting worksheets, the number of goals can vary. People may be encouraged to create their own goals or work with a teacher, therapist, or coach to develop goals that are tailored to their specific needs. The objectives are designed to be realistic so that people do not become discouraged while still pushing them to improve. Goals can be very specific, such as an athlete’s desire to improve his or her track times, or more abstract, such as a disabled student’s desire to improve social skills.
People can check in on their goal-setting worksheets on a regular basis to see how well they’re doing and, if necessary, redirect their plans or focus if they notice they’ve gotten off track. They can check the worksheet again after the deadline has passed to see if the goal was met. Processing the experience may be recommended in some cases, with the person discussing how the goal was met and what challenges were encountered. Others may set new goals; the above-mentioned troubled speller, for example, may strive for an A average on spelling tests.
Goal setting worksheets can be used over time to help people make small improvements, or they can be used for a short period of time to get someone focused and back on track. Classrooms, personal debt management, athletic training, and career advancement are just a few examples of situations where such documents can be beneficial.