Tools to help you find the roadmap to success
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EmailHaving a vision for the future can be challenging, especially for young people. These three processes that can help you find your roadmap to success.
When planning for the future, it is important to consider dreams, expectations and goals. Navigating the idea of the future challenges your creativity and having a vision for the future helps us manage our expectations.
Here are three processes that can help you find your roadmap to success.
The power of goal-setting
It is important to know what you want to achieve and how. You will need to invest time and effort, depending on your expectations. Sometimes you will have short-term goals or long-term goals. Examples include:
- Short-term goal: Save $20 for my next book by the first of July.
- Long-term goal: Graduate from college with a bachelor of science in agricultural biotechnology by May 2027.
Identify support for overcoming obstacles and staying motivated
Based on the opinion of students in Holt Junior High School, having a support team is one of the most important tools for overcoming obstacles. One student shared, “My family and friends are the ones who always help me.” Another student stated, “I want to be the best support for my best friend.”
Motivation can have different faces: family members, friends, teachers, 4-H club members, teammates or mentors. You can also be the one who motivates someone else!
To overcome obstacles and stay motivated, do not forget the following skills:
- Creativity
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Leadership
- Time management
- Engaging with your support team!
Action plan and accountability
An action plan is your personal roadmap. It helps you break down your main goals into smaller ones and will help you navigate the next steps. It really helps to stay focused and on track!
To follow up with your plan, accountability is key! Taking responsibility, checking on your progress, and having someone (like a teacher, friend or mentor) to support and remind you is beneficial.
Here are some additional steps that can help you create your action plan:
- Set a clear goal and break it down into small, actionable steps.
- Define your goal
- Make it SMART
- Choose one or more ways to stay on track:
- Use a goal tracker
- Set reminders for yourself
- Keep a journal
- Trust in your support team
- Write down the very first step that you will take to work toward your goal!
To help youth learn the important skill of planning for their future, Michigan State University Extension is making career exploration and financial education fun through hands-on workshops on topics such as goal-setting, decision-making, budgeting, saving, investing and borrowing as well as financial services, earning potential and risk management.
MSU Extension and MSU's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) is committed to a culturally inclusive, safe and supportive environment that is free from all forms of discrimination, bias, stereotyping, harassment and assault.
MSU Extension creates opportunities and builds knowledgeable communities to make Michigan a strong, prosperous and great state to live in.
To explore ways to engage with culturally distinct communities, please contact Patricia Monterrosa, 4-H educator with Chispa 4-H.
