Goals: Introduction & Brainstorming

1. Short and Long Term Goals-Introduction

a. Part of the senior culminating project is the State of Washington’s requirement that you

have a 13^th year plan. 13^th what??? That sounds strange, but it is really not. Basically, they

want you to think about what you are going to do with yourself the years AFTER you get

out of high school.

b. Thinking about it now, even if it is just a guess, is a very helpful thing because that way, you

at least have direction.

c. That 13^th year plan is broken up into TWO short pieces of writing:

i. Your SHORT TERM GOALS: covering from now until the time just after your

graduation.

ii. Your LONG TERM GOALS: covering the time period of 5 years after you graduate.

d. These aren’t hard to write. The hardest part is BRAINSTORMING so that you know what

your goals actually ARE. So, let’s get started with that.

e. Before we do, remember the following things!

i. First, you don’t have to have earth-shattering goals: You probably won’t come up with

a cure for cancer and negotiate world peace the first year out of high school.

ii. On the other hand, you don’t want to turn in a senior project that basically says you

are going to be a bum your whole life either. So, be realistic AND stretch yourself a

little at the same time.

iii. Secondly, take these as two separate exercises in goal setting, and then do them

BACKWARDS.

1. Think what you want to do/be down the road a ways (long term goals).

2. With the long range target in your mind, think what little steps you will have to

take right now to get there (short term goals).

f. Follow the links below to work on brainstorming your goals for both:

ii. Short Term Goals-Brainstorming Worksheet