Essay About Academic Goals And Training Program

Looking Toward the Future
LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE
Donna Stone
PSY202 Adult Development and Life Assessment
Donn Leiske
January 12, 2014
LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE
When thinking about writing this paper, it is easy for me to think of professional and
academic goals. I have a hard time with personal goals. With that being stated, I have decided to
make a personal goal of running my first 5K in 2014. My academic goal will be to achieve a B
or higher in all my classes, and my professional goal will be to become a QIDP upon completion
of my degree.
When I was researching the SMART goals in the Ashford Library, I came upon an article that
stated “Goals also need to be relevant or realistic. Honestly evaluate what is possible and
realistic considering the constraints of your life and schedule.” Lee, K. (2010) I have tried to set
goals before, but have set unrealistic time frames to complete them. This, I feel, will be a good
reminder for me.
I, Donna Stone, will compete in my first 5K race in October of 2014. I have started doing a
couch to 5K training program. It takes you from sitting on your couch, so to speak, to running a
5K in 8 weeks. I will continue to work with this program to train for the race in October. It is
very attainable for me to do this race. I find that the training takes perseverance, and that is
really the only obstacle that I can see for myself. I have quit things before when I don’t feel I am
achieving what I need to as fast as I need to. I think the traits of Openness to Experience,
Conscientiousness, and Extroversion will be helpful in achieving this goal. The variety of
running in different places, the discipline of training and completing a race, and the social aspect
of doing a new thing are all desirable to me. I feel all these things will help me reach this goal.
To stay accountable for this, I will register as early as possible. If I pay the money for