How to Set Goals for an Outline

Whether you're considering graduate school, a career change or trying to get motivated to pursue a passion in your spare time, goal-setting is a way to systematically assess and achieve your interests. When creating goals, it's also important to create an outline. Your outline is the path you set out before yourself to follow your goals. Formulating goals for your outline requires and honest assessment of your personal interests, likes and dislikes.

Instructions

• 1

  Assess what change(s) you want to make. Many people are dissatisfied with one or more current situations in their lives. You feel as though you want things to be different, but aren't sure how. Write down what you don't like, in one column, be very honest with yourself. Write down what you do like about your life in another column; it's important to remain positive (ref 2) throughout this process and knowing what's good about your life will help.

• 2

  Asses your interests and talents. Once you know what area of life you want to improve on, make a list of how exactly you want it to be different. If you want a career change, list the things you love to do and the things you're good at, even if you've never told anyone before. If you want a relationship change, list qualities that you're interested in finding in a partner.

• 3

  Know your end result. This is a well known step to begin formulating goals. What is the eventual outcome you want from making changes in your life? It's important to keep this end result in mind while you are pursuing your goals and to not give up unless your desired end result changes.

• 4

  Brainstorm smaller goals that lead up to your end result. There is no wrong or right answer to this step. There can be a few smaller goals, there can be a dozen, it's up to you. At first it may seem daunting to make this list, but brainstorming helps your analytical juices to flow. No matter how small these goals may seem, every step toward your end result is a step in the right direction.

• 5

  Craft your outline. Place your end result at the end of the outline. Each small goal is listed in your outline. Ideas on how to achieve these goals should be listed underneath. Goals should be listed in a logical order leading up to the end goal. This is your path to achieving your end result and the goals along the way. Strike off goals as you achieve them.