Goals are the same as directions to a chosen destination.  We're not talking lifetime goals, we're talking about short-term college goals (five years or less).  Remember, I told you earlier in the book that the key to success in college is to watch what most students do and then do the total opposite?  Let's face it, most students don't set goals.  Allow me to illustrate this point.

It has already been documented, almost to a point of overkill, how important goal setting is to one's success.  We ALL know this.  You would be hard pressed to shock any college student with the goal setting concept.  Given that fact, if you stepped into a typical classroom of 100 students today and asked them how many of you set goals, how many of them do you think would raise their hands?  Well let me tell what I usually see when I ask this question.  I will usually get about 30 students raising their hands and 10 are probably lying (but that's okay). 

Of that 30, how many of them would respond if asked, how many of you have your goals written down?'  I usually will get 10 out of 30 students raising their hands (hopefully no liars).  Of the 10 remaining, how many of them would respond if asked, how many of you read them at least once a semester?'  After that question, I usually see about five (5) hands still raised (sometimes less). 

The goal setting concept has been beat into our heads since we entered high school, but most of us (95%) still don't get it!'  This is why you, as a college student, can't afford to follow the crowd.  It was once said that, "those who don't set goals are bound to work for those who do." The truth of the matter is that most students are starting their college journey just hoping to arrive at their destination.  Why do you think most students act relieved, giddy, and somewhat childish when they eventually graduate (you've seen some of their theatrics on the ceremony stage)?  Because most weren't really sure that they would ever graduate (i.e., reach their destination).

My suggestion is to determine your destination before you take the trip so you can enjoy the ride along the way.  Haven't you ever noticed that when you drive somewhere, you seem to be a little more comfortable and confident when you have clear directions?  This is called a clue.  Set yourself up for success by plotting and planning the course before you take it.

I guarantee you won't regret it.

Blind Faith

Rationale:I told you earlier about my experience in high school and how I never really put forth my best effort (result = 2.2 GPA).  I remembered the promise I made to my mother to do my best, and I planned to keep it.  Also, I knew that if I accomplished this goal, it would increase my chances of success beyond college.  So I figured, why not give it a try.

Rationale:I quickly learned from previous graduates that if they could go back to college and do it all over again, most said that they would have become more active on campus.  They also believed that "active" students (i.e., those in leadership roles) tended to get better job offers with higher salaries.  Hey, who was I to argue?  Count me in.

Rationale: I'm sure you would agree that most students, upon graduation, are either unemployed, underemployed (working outside of their major), or undecided about what they're going to do next.  I didn't want to become another statistic, so I "planned" diligently to put myself in a better situation upon graduation.

Rationale: Talking to other successful graduates, I found that most were unhappy with their tax/financial situation.  For a single person earning $30,000 a year coming right out of college, Uncle Sam is just licking his chops to take most of it from you.  I didn't want this happen to me, so I thought it would nice to have a tax shelter when I graduated.  Also, I noticed that most students rented when they graduated, so that meant it couldn't be right.  I wanted to be different, so I did the opposite.

5.)  Save at least $2,000 in cash by graduation day.

Rationale: I just thought it would be nice to have some cash stashed away in savings.  That's all.

Given these "wants," you have to understand that I had no clue "how" I would achieve them.  But I was certain that if I had a strong enough "WHY" for my "wants," the "HOW" would reveal itself later.  This is an important concept to grasp.  Many times we fail to set goals for ourselves because we don't know, at the moment of goal conception, how we will achieve them.  I'm telling you right now that you don't have to know "how," just know "why."'  The "how" will reveal itself eventually.  I hope that makes sense.

Well, how did things turn out for me?  I achieved the first goal.  I graduated with a 3.8 grade point average.  How did I do it?  That's why I wrote this book, to show you "how." 

I achieved the second goal.  I joined and actively participated in five organizations, and I was president in one and vice president in another, both within my major. 

I achieved the third goal.  I received three job offers in my major BEFORE I graduated.  Of course I could only accept one, which ended up being the worst of the three (but that story is for another book). 

I achieved the fourth.  I was blessed to be able to purchase my first home when I graduated.  How did I do it?  Careful planning, good credit, and a lot of praying.  For details on any of these goals, write or e-mail me ([email removed]).  I would love to share it with you. 

However, I didn't achieve the fifth goal.  I fell short.  In retrospect, I wonder if it had anything to do with me having a weak "why" for it in the first place. Hmm?, something to think about.  When I speak across the country to college students, some tell me that the reason they don't set goals is because of what happened to me.  They say, "Joe, you pursued those five goals for three and a half years only to fall one short."'  Is that the craziest thing you've ever heard or what?  Honestly, this is what I hear from students.

Now understand, whenever you set a goal (destination) for yourself, you are indeed setting yourself up for failure.  There is a 50/50 chance you will either succeed or fail.  But my question is this, what are your chances if you don't set a goal?  That's right, you have a 0% chance of succeeding!'  I don't know about you, but if someone gave me 50% odds on winning the lotto, I'd be the first one in line buying a ticket."  That's why you need to give yourself at least half of a chance to succeed."  Start today!