Goal Setting

Fellow Guardians:I want to take a moment to talk about setting specific goals as it applies to our flotilla and its members. Each of us should have goals to help us grow as individuals and as a team. How do I set a good specific goal?

For starters, you will be most successful if your goals involve something you are passionate about. Most of us are passionate about boating and being on the water, but there may be other reasons you joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Start by asking yourself “What brought me to this organization? What did I want to do?” Then evaluate where you are now. For instance, if you joined to Coast Guard to give back to your community by improving boating safety on our waterways, then how far have you come toward realizing your initial desire?

Next ask yourself where you want to be and begin setting your goals at that point.

Good goals follow the S.M.A.R.T. methodology. SMART is an acronym used to help set good goals.

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Realistic

Time bound

For example a general goal might be “to do more VSCs”.

Following the SMART methodology, the goal becomes:

“I’m going to do 100 vessel inspections before September 1st by working 1 Saturday a month at Willamette Park.”

SMART: