Need Some Goal Companions
I am doing a degree online and my G.P.A. is high enough to get me nominated for an honors society. I have done all the steps except for the last part the meeting of the goals. It's difficult to find people to set up a small goal sharing group with. I had time conflicts with my school's chapter and when I tried social media, I only got two responses in a fortnight.
So I thought I'd try here since this section is all about goals,otivation, and accountability (& because my chapter advisor sent me an email yesterday because I have not accomplished this task yet).
What I need is to come up with a SMART goal (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound)--well all participants would need to do that and then we would check back with each otherbon a weekly basis and see how everyone is doing on their goals. We'd encourage one another and offer suggestions of things don't seem to go according to plan. I'd have to fill out a generic sheet for the honors society (nothing specific, just about my goal in general) and that would be it.
Would there be an interest here? It's quite similar to things that are already being done.
@Enthenia I would love to join! I'm looking for some accountability for some of my own goals, also, and I think it would be fantastic to kind of work on them together and support eachother 😊
@Ren1478 That's good! Now hopefully there will be a few more takers! I know I have one person in the Student Support forum but so far no one else.
@Ren1478
You still up for joining us?
@Enthenia
Of course I'm in ;)
@IchooseLife79 You found it! I meant to mention you but real-time things got in the way. I don't think I really signed in here yesterday.
Now we just need a few more...
@Enthenia
How many people do you need?
@IchooseLife79 Approximately 5.
@Enthenia\
I am interested with one cavoite, The Achievability part. I guess we will need to discuss this further. If the goal is something I don't feel is possible in this context I'll have to flee.
@Enthenia
I am interested with one cavoite, The Achievability part. I guess we will need to discuss this further. If the goal is something I don't feel is possible in this context I'll have to flee.
@Gettingbettertoday
I understand the hesitation. The achievable part is all about making it a goal you can do. Breaking into small steps that will get you there. I'm sure we can help you break it down once you pick a goal. :)
@Gettingbettertoday Choose something achievable! Don't start off on a grans scale like "I'm going to run a mile in three minutes and forty-five seconds nex Tuesday" especially if you have never run a mile before. If the longest you've traveled is down to the corner to post a letter then you need to rethink the goal. As ichooselife said, break it up into smaller bits and allow yourself reasonable time that way it doesn't seem so daunting.
Making the task more realistic doesn't mean you'll fail; it means you're taking practical steps to ensure that you will succeed.
@Enthenia
Are you saying that we all can have different goals? I thought we were going to have a goal in common. I thought that was the point, a common focus.
I am familiar with the Smart Goal System but i have never used it as i have never been one to set goals. That being said i do have a goal that will be complete by this Sunday if i don't cop out.
@Gettingbettertoday You can have your own goal. We just put them on the table and then we keep tabs on one another. See how things are going and motivate and encourage when things don't seem to be going well. The main thing is not to let anyone give up.
@Gettingbettertoday I don't do goals either so this is challenging for me as well but I think I have one that's obtainable and relevant to my studies.
@Gettingbettertoday
My Sunday goal has been canceled already.
@Gettingbettertoday
Sorry to hear. Do you have another goal or habit to work on?
@IchooseLife79
My doctor has told me i should get out in public and meet new people. I was going to go to a meetup group this Sunday but something came up. I can always do this next week. I am just missing the deadline I had set. I will think about what other goal i can work on.
@Gettingbettertoday
Bummer man... but surely other things will come up you can share. Are you OK or did that cancellation disappoint you a lot?😕
@IsayUncle
I was not disappointed at all. I have an extreme fear of social interaction. I can talk business with people all day but to talk about myself is very difficult.
@Gettingbettertoday
Were you able to come up with another goal we can support you with?
@IchooseLife79
I have not figured anything out. It is hard to set goals when there is nothing to motivate you.
@IchooseLife79
My goal is still to get out and socialize. The meetup group i had chosen only meets once a month and meets at a times not convenient to me.
Now i must pick a new group without the consideration of interest since i had already picked the only group within 50 miles that i had any interest in. I can easily eliminate any business groups since i have less than zero interest in talking about business. I can also eliminate most spiritual groups as i don't do woo. Now to pick from the leftovers. Without bias is i can.
@Enthenia
I love this idea and I love that you already have a lot of interest. Fantastic. I know you said we can check in weekly So what day do you think would be a good check in day? For now I'm just gonna start today.
Specific = Finish last year's financial spreadsheets so I can make a tax appointment. Complete this year's financial spreadsheets up to current date.
Measurable = Yes, by having all the paperwork filled in and completed. Complete one page at a time until all the pages are up to date.
Achievable = Yes, I have all the information I need on hand so I just need to sort, compile and log it down. There are no outside forces to hinder or deter me from getting this done.
Relevant = Extremely relevant. Being self-employed it is so important to actually earn money above the expenses of the business. A lot of money does switch hands and it seems like you're doing something big because of the all the money going back and forth... but if I can't see it on paper I could just be spinning my wheels and not know it until it's too late. I want to do better than that.
Time-bound = It is Friday morning 2/23/24. I want to have this goal completed by Sunday evening 2/25/24. When Monday morning starts on 2/26/24, I want to have a clean slate in this area.
BONUS GOAL: Repair tilt cylinder before Monday morning also. This is not my smart goal though so I hope to stay focused on that.
@Enthenia
I'm really eager and looking forward seeing other members smart goals.😀
@IsayUncle Well I submitted my first report to the honors society today so I guess today is my first day too.
Specific: To become better acquainted with Java programming.
Measurable: This is to be completed prior to the start of my intermediate Java course in mid-March.
Achievable: This can be achieved by studying the Learn Java app I have downloaded and reviewing resources online.
Realistic: It is realistic because I want to receive a better grade in the intermediate class than I did in the beginning class (I still passed but I could have done better if I understood it more).
Timely: With a desire to gain a better understanding prior to the start of the next class, this makes the task take precedence over other tasks. That and the fact that I am pursuing this degree in order to make myself a better qualified job candidate so I can leave my current overly-stressful job are good motivators.
@Enthenia
Congratulations on submitting your report to the honor society. That is so very awesome. 😀
It sounds like you have about 3 weeks of studying to do with the Java program. That sounds like a real good goal. what do you consider a better grade that you are shooting for?
Is there a specific Aspect of Java that you need to learn first to move forward?
You Can Do It! 🤪
@IsayUncle In Java, everything is treated as an object. To make things happen, you have to tell the obects to do things a certain way. The phrasing of it doesn't make sense to me. It's like my difficulty with Italian. Both languages I can understand up to a point but then the structure gets confusing.
I can understand Linux and the Command Prompt better.
My grade was a B in the beginner class but I would have done better if I could understand the context.
I have two more reports to do and then I'll get my certificate. But I can only do them once a week.
@Enthenia
What is your "Time Bound" before your next grade. Or will you get a grade when you get your certificate?
It sounds like the structure of the program, like a language can only we learned through trial and error and repetitiveness. In other words, doing it over and over and over and over, I think the structure might start to take shape a little bit easier for you. But definitely a never ending daunting task of learning and that's probably the challenge part that you do like.
@IsayUncle I'd like to get a better understanding prior to the class. The previous class I only made it through by looking at some homework assistant pages where similar questions were asked. From what I've seen, the courses don't deviate too much from courses before i.e. Introduction to Network Administration was a course I took last year. The course material was almost exactly like the course material for someone who took the course two years ago. So, most questions have already been asked and there are a lot of places where you can get answers. This helped me get through the course but it didn't exactly help me understand the reasons for the phrasing.
Like: // Printing display message
@Enthenia
So, it would be ideal to have a "goal companion". to work with somebody to champion a common challenge and come up with a solution in a timely manner.
I think it's golden that you want to grasp and understand versus just getting the answers and getting your certificate. That is powerful good. And I will champion you in that direction. This computer stuff might be a bit over my head though but not the idea of the smart goal.
We gotta find you a computer companion but in the mean time stick with our individual smart goals if that is good for you too.
I'm like, my smart goal is to change a tire with a lug wrench and sweat. And like your smart goal is to change the tire with a computer program, robotics and a little AI thrown in there. LMAO LMAO🤣🤣🤣.
Alright. Sorry it took so long to get this message posted. ;) I have a bunch of goals to work toward, and I had to figure out which to post about. I've decided to get support and encouragement on probably the most important one, getting back to work full-time. Right now I am on disability for my anxiety and depression which has been debilitating in the past, but I am currently working with Vocational Rehabilitation to get back to work. I've decided that working for myself is the vision and dream I have so my goal is to make a decision on what business to start. I have already narrowed it down some, but still have multiple ideas. I need to narrow it down to just one. So...
Specific: Narrow my vocational goals and ideas down to one. In order to do that I will spend around 10 minutes a day on watching a video on the jobs I'm interested in.
Measurable: Each day will show me progress on checking off the list of videos to watch. I've decided to do this first thing in the morning when I wake up.
Attainable: Doing this each day for just around 10 minutes will be something I can do without being overwhelmed.
Relevant: This definitely lines up with my values and long-term objective of working full time. I look forward to providing for my family, being a productive member of society, and being able to afford hobbies and interests.
Time-based: My first goal is to have a start of a pros/cons and likes/dislikes list by next Sunday. Ultimately, my decision will be made by March 24.
Glad to have others to encourage and be encouraged by. We can do this. Step by step!
@IchooseLife79
I really like your approach. It is practical and intelligent. With that much research going into your subject matter you will have a well-rounded perspective as to what directions you want to take. I think that's a great idea. you may even find some ideas that overlap onto others and come up with your own game plan.
Suffering from anxiety and depression is tough and a definite deterrent but definitely not the end of the road to anything. You can do this. I like this idea @Enthenia came up with. It feels like a gentle exercise in accountability. (good or bad... honest accountability amongst friends and peers really helps a lot).
And you are putting it in good practice. Good job😀.
RE: Isayuncle- Spreadsheets-2/23 > 2/25
I failed my timeline
Achievable = Yes, I have all the information I need on hand so I just need to sort, compile and log it down. There are no outside forces to hinder or deter me from getting this done.
@IsayUncle
Be kind to yourself. Small steps, right? Remember you are not yourself right now. Anyone in pain is a little off. The key is progress not perfection.
@FaithfulZareia
Would you still be able to join us? We would love the extra member.
@FaithfulZareia
That's the plan. Make some smart goals and check in to for accountability and to encourage each other for the next few weeks. Looking forward to it myself. :)
So I didn't have to download the app again. I already had it but I got another one with strong reviews. I haven't looked at it yet. Sundays are when I try to get caught up with everything else that I don't have time to do during the week.
@Enthenia
I use the app for notifications, but I use the webpage on my phone for actual browsing and chatting. It isn't as glitchy.
@IchooseLife79 I meant the one for Java. I generally avoid using a lot of phone apps if there's an alternative because of bugs or over-simplified content.
@Enthenia
Lol yeah, not long after I posted that I realized you were probably talking about the java. 🤦♂️
@Enthenia
So that's great that you still have that learning app on your computer. Is it on your computer and your phone or just one or the other? It sounds like you are awfully busy. Are you gonna have to wait until next Sunday or will you be able to used the program some this week?
Have you made any progress in the past a few days towards the Java Script or have you been too busy with other things. As far as the SMART GOAL goes, I did not get a clear picture of what your "time bound" limit is. What step are you gonna be done with by what date? 🤨😊
cloudySummer mentioned an editor (see below). That sounds extremely helpful. Do you know what that is or do you have that tool to help you navigate your script?
As for the comments / actual contents differentiation, I'd suggest you find yourself an editor with proper syntax highlighting. Comments will then (most often) be grey and look unimportant, while code uses various colors that help you know what is a function, an object, ...
Stay at it, don't overload it but remember to try to stay committed to your smart goal and not get distracted like I did last week. I didn't make my smart goal last week but I'm gonna try again this week. 👍
@IsayUncle Yhe timeframe is dependent on when I finishy networking coass. Once I finish a class l, the system automatically enrolls me in the next one. I need to do a diagram and write my paper for the current assignment and then I'll be halfway done with the course.
The two learnings apps are on my mobile. I can look at them before work I suppose. I'll just have to cut time from the language one I usually do in the morning.
I have an open source software program on the computer. It will highlight what's wrong and reference a website but it doesn't say really how to fix the errors. For some of the more complex tasks in the last class, I had to look on tech forums. I got the answers or methods to try but not really explanations.
@Enthenia
No wonder you are so busy. Lol Best of luck to you. Glad we are able to help you with this goal assignment at least.
@IchooseLife79 Actually it's my job that makes me busy (that and I don't really have free time at home with a working dog) but there's nothing that can be done about that.
I wish there was because I get really tense at work and I don't usually relax until after an hour of playing with the dog.
@Enthenia
It sounds like you are going in the right direction and it also sounds like it could be very challenging. i wish we could find someone for talk to you about the actual computer programming. But until then you'll have to be steadfast with your own resources and you can do that. It may not be easy and it may not be overnight but I think you got a good plan so stay with it.
Remember to refresh your SMART GOAL on a weekly or bi weekly basis to help you keep on track. It's there to break big daunting tasks into smaller doable steps within a certain time frame. As you accomplish things, your smart goal for moving forward should be fluid with your movements and accomplishments. Keep writing, keep learning and keep asking. It will make sense.
I love dogs. That's wonderful you have a buddy to come home to. They are so loving and loyal. I have 3. 😀
@IsayUncle Mune took a while to adjust to. She was a gift. Lost the old dog 3 years ago and a cat 2 years ago. Was going to let my remainung elderly pet live out her life in quiet (thought she was too old to adjust to another animal) but she goes out on walks with us when she ferls like it and can hold her own against the dog.
Dog has twice as much energy than my old one had and she chewed on things a lot in the beginning. It took months for her to settle down a bit. There was quite a few moments of uncertainty, regret, and wishing my circumstances were better (like having a yard the size of a football field for her to run in) but she seems to be happy.
@Enthenia
Yeah, I forget about all the uncertainty and trouble they cause learning to settle in. You are right about that. But with good companionship, they usually fit into the family habits pretty good. 🐶😊.