AimHigher Magazine 2021

GETTING MOTIVATED
AND
CREATING GOALS
WITH AIMHIGHER PLUS PROGRESSION AMBASSADOR, WESLEY
CREATING GOALS
4
Our motivation may be built through
the support of others such as a family
member or friend, but you can also
create your own motivation. You can
be self-motivated to pursue your
aims for your life each day, setting
the foundation for you to progress
towards your goals. However,
motivation is like the weather and
it changes as your circumstances
change. Seeing motivation as a
growing and changeable part of your
life will help.
When making a goal, consider realistic short-term and long-term
goals. A short-term goal might be: I want to revise for my maths
exam after school today. Being specific also helps, deciding
how long you will revise for and how you will avoid distraction.
A long-term goal may look like: I want to study Art at university.
Although these goals may feel far away, they can help you make
steps in the here and now towards that goal. You may even be
inspired to create a goal based on a challenging situation you’ve
experienced. In year 9-10, I didn’t do well in my exams, so at the
beginning of year 11 I made the goals to ask for help and revise
more to motivate myself. If you pinpoint something that you find
challenging, you can recognise where a goal might be helpful to
overcome this.
FINDING YOUR
MOTIVATION TO SET
GOALS
PICTURING THE
FUTURE
My best advice for imagining where you will be in the future is to
work backwards. Kick start your imagination and picture where
you want to be when you are older, on paper or in a monologue
or poem (if you are like me and have a passion for drama). When
working backwards, it’s easier to understand which goals will
support you and help you reach your destination. For example, if
you want to go to university, you will need to consider: What are
the entry requirements needed for a certain course? Are there
any open days I can go to? Do I need to gain work experience? By
approaching your future aims in this way, you can set effective
short-term goals with your final long-term goal in mind.