Family and Consumer Science

When you're employed full time and are also a spouse, parent, chauffeur, and so forth, it's easy to get caught in the trap of trying to do everything. It's difficult for working parents to finish everything that needs to be done. For parents, or anyone with a busy schedule, goal setting is so important in managing work or time.

When too many things are competing for time, energy, talents and skills, it's necessary to set goals. Goals can help determine where one is going and how to get there, and also indicate when important items have been accomplished.

Goals are the end results toward which individuals or families are willing to work. In simple terms, goals are what one wants. They may be actual things (a new coat or a car), activities (going on a trip), money ($1000 in the bank), or something less tangible (children learning responsibility). Goals develop from values -- ideas about what is important and worthwhile.

Research in the area of management shows that people who set goals and work toward them are happier and feel more successful. By setting goals, one can gain:

* A sense of direction.

* A sense of purpose.

* Feelings of success--even when accomplishing very short-term goals.

* Insight into failures so plans can be changed as necessary.

Goal setting can be difficult because most people are not used to thinking in specific measurable terms. A key element in managing goals is designing a method or strategy for reaching them.

Statements like "I'm going to get up earlier," I'm going to spend more time with my children," or "I'm going to get more organized" aren't good goals. Such statements probably won't be very helpful in achieving desired results.

Goal setting needs to be a process following certain strategies:

1. It's important to clearly identify the goal to be achieved or the problem to be solved. "I feel unfit and unhealthy because I don't get enough exercise. I need to find 30 minutes each day when I can go for a walk or run."

2. Consider possible courses of action. "I could get up one hour earlier in the morning, walk over my noon hour, walk after work, or walk in the evening."

3. Consider the consequences of each alternative. "Getting up earlier would require getting to bed earlier. Walking over the noon hour would require missing the social hour at work with friends. Walking after work would mean that I would have to be organized about supper preparation in the morning before work. Walking in the evening would mean less television or other things I do for free time."

4. Select the best one. "I think it would be the least disruptive to my life to walk for a half hour in the evenings. I'm going to start next Monday and walk three days a week."

Through this process, one can come up with reasonable ways of achieving goals.

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Editor's Note: Information taken from K-State University Research and Extension Family Life Publication, "Managing Time, Work and Family."