Look Inside Young Adult Road Map

Guiding Star Point One: Set GOAL Activity 1.1
Other things
people who support
me should know about
my strengths:
Young Adult Road Map, page xx
1
Guiding Star Point one: Set Goals
10
Setting goals
is the first step
in turning the
invisible into
the visible.
– Tony Robbins,
Author and Life Coach
Why Set Goals?
How many times have you heard someone say, “You have your whole life ahead of you?”
They are thinking about all the good things life can bring you in the future. Yet the future
can seem frightening, too. Sometimes “The Future” looks like a big, hazy cloud in the
distance. All you can see close-up are problems along the road. These problems may have
scary labels such as “not enough money” or “where will I live?” The Guiding Star can help
you move ahead by sorting out problems into manageable chunks. It starts with using
your own voice to change the conversation about your future.
Guiding Star Point One—SET GOALS--is a conversation about turning PROBLEMS into
PRIORITIES. This is a person-centered conversation, because it is about what you need.
You must lead this conversation because you are the only person who really knows what
you think, what you feel, and what concerns you. You are the expert about yourself.
Part One: Five Kinds of Strengths
The conversation begins with your strengths. However, this isn’t just a “feel-good” exercise.
Your strengths, plus the services and supports you will find on your journey, can solve many
problems along the road to the life you want.
YOUR STRENGTHS + SERVICES AND SUPPORTS = SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS
Examining your strengths is like packing for a journey. Before you set out, it’s a good idea
to check your pockets/purse/backpack or the trunk of your car
What Are My Strengths?
for any items that might come in handy down the road. You don’t
need to figure out exactly how they might be useful right now.
Qualities abilities
You just need to be aware of your strengths, and let others who
support you know about them, too. Amazing things can happen
resources
when your strengths are carefully examined.
assets
*
See Activity 1.1, What Are My Strengths?
To start, think about five different kinds of strengths:
Qualities —Personal traits such as persistence and loyalty to friends, as well as the habit
of speaking respectfully to others, a willingness to take directions from a supervisor,
1.
or the capacity to stay calm in a crisis.
2. Abilities—What a person can do. These might include a learned skill, such as baking
great cookies or playing an instrument. They could also include a talent, like being a
great organizer or learning quickly by observing others.
3.
4.
5.
Examining your strengths is like packing for a journey. Before you set out, it’s a good idea to check your pockets/purse/backpack or the trunk of your
car for any items that might come in handy down the road. Amazing things can happen when your strengths are carefully examined. Page XX in your
guide describes five different kinds of strengths. Being persistent is one kind of strength (called a quality). Having good medical insurance is another
kind of strength (called an asset). Having a support group might be another kind of strength (called a resource.) Read more examples of the five
kinds of strengths on page X of your Guide. Then write down a few words that describe each of your strengths, using the spaces below.
Interests—What you like to do, what motivates you or makes you curious, or a hobby
you like to do in your spare time.
Assets—Things you own or can use, such as a car, a monthly bus pass, insurance, or
safe housing.
Resources—People and organizations that can help if you need it. These might include
a drop-in center, church that provides food assistance, a neighbor who can give you a
place to stay in an emergency, a job training program, or a local library that provides
computers with free internet.
interests