Welcome back everyone!  As the new semester is starting, think back to last semester and come up with a couple new goals in regards to the position itself.  Do you want to program more or tackle a different programming subject.  Your goals are up to you and only you can really track how you compare to the standards you set for yourself.  With these goals make sure they are S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound) and challenge your residents to do the same thing whether is is a goal in their personal life, academic, or job related.

Here are some other tips for attaining your goals:

WRITE THEM DOWN and put them in a spot where you are going to see them all the time. This will serve as a constant reminder of what you are striving for.

TALK ABOUT THEM with other people, this will make you more passionate about them and will help to hold you more accountable to them if others are aware about them.

BREAK IT DOWN AND TRACK YOUR PROGRESS. By breaking your goals down into smaller pieces you are able to make small-term goals out of your long-term goals. This will make you feel more successful and will allow your lofty long-term goals to seem more manageable.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE.  Surround yourself with individuals who will be supportive of your goals and aspirations, not Debby-downers that will tell you that you can’t do it.

BE WILLING TO REVISIT AND REVISE:  It isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you do not reach all of your goals but you should be able to succeed at a good chunk of them.  Don’t be afraid to look at your list of goals and change them up a bit either to make them more attainable or more challenging, depending on what is needed.

Here’s to the semester and your goals.  Hopefully you are liking all of your classes so far.