Smart Goals

S

100

You want to save money

I will save $10 from my allowance each week.

200

You want to save money, but your weekly allowance is only $10.

I will save $10 from my allowance and earn an extra $10 by mowing lawns each week.

300

You want to save money, but your allowance is only $10, and your neighborhood doesn’t have many job opportunities.

I will save $10 from my allowance, sell old toys and clothes online, and do odd jobs for family members.

400

You want to save money, but your allowance is only $10, and your parents won’t let you get a job or sell your things.

I will save $10 from my allowance, limit spending on snacks, and avoid buying non-essential items.

500

You want to save money, but your allowance is only $10, you can’t get a job, and your parents charge you $5 a week for chores. Make this goal specific.

I will save $5 from my allowance, ask for cash gifts instead of presents, and cut back on personal spending entirely.

M

100

You want to get better grades.

I will improve my math grade from a B to an A by studying for 1 hour each evening.

200

You want to get better grades, but you struggle with time management.

I will set aside 30 minutes each day for each subject I need to improve in and complete all my assignments on time.

300

You want to get better grades, but you’re already involved in sports and a club.

I will study for 30 minutes before practice and review notes during club meetings, aiming to increase my test scores by 10%

400

You want to get better grades, but you’re involved in sports and clubs, and you don’t have access to a quiet space at home.

I will stay after school for tutoring twice a week and review my notes during bus rides, aiming to raise my GPA from 3.0 to 3.5.

500

You want to get better grades, but you’re involved in sports and clubs, have no quiet study space, and don’t understand the material well.

I will meet with my teacher for 30 minutes every week, use online tutorials to clarify topics, and track progress by aiming for an 80% or higher on all quizzes

A

100

You want to exercise more.

I will walk 1 mile every evening.

200

You want to exercise more, but you don’t like sports.

I will start with a 10-minute walk each day and gradually increase to 30 minutes over a month.

300

You want to exercise more, but you don’t like sports, and you don’t have any equipment.

I will do bodyweight exercises like push-ups and squats for 15 minutes, five days a week.

400

You want to exercise more, but you don’t like sports, don’t have equipment, and only have 15 minutes free each day.

I will do 10 minutes of high-intensity interval training three days a week.

500

You want to exercise more, but you don’t like sports, don’t have equipment, only have 15 minutes free, and you recently injured your leg.

I will do 10 minutes of upper body and core exercises, like sit-ups and arm workouts, three days a week.

R

100

You want to volunteer.

I will volunteer at an animal shelter because I want to work with animals in the future.

200

You want to volunteer, but you’re still figuring out your career goals.

I will volunteer at different places, like a library or food bank, to explore my interests.

300

You want to volunteer, but you’re still figuring out your career goals, and you have limited free time.

I will volunteer at a local food bank for 2 hours on Saturdays to see if I enjoy working in community service.

400

You want to volunteer, but you’re still figuring out your career goals, have limited free time, and can’t travel far.

I will volunteer remotely by helping with online tutoring or data entry for a nonprofit organization.

500

You want to volunteer, but you’re still figuring out your career goals, have limited free time, can’t travel far, and lack internet access.

I will help elderly neighbors by running errands or doing yard work on Saturday mornings.

T

100

You want to read more books.

I will read one book every two weeks.

200

You want to read more books, but you’re a slow reader.

I will read 10 pages every night and finish one book every month.

300

You want to read more books, but you’re a slow reader and have a lot of homework.

I will read for 15 minutes before bed and finish one book in six weeks.

400

You want to read more books, but you’re a slow reader, have a lot of homework, and often forget to bring your book to school.

I will set a nightly reminder to read for 15 minutes and carry an e-book on my phone, finishing one book in eight weeks.

500

You want to read more books, but you’re a slow reader, have a lot of homework, forget your book, and tend to fall asleep while reading.

I will listen to audiobooks during my bus ride home and finish one book every six weeks.