Objectives | Goals | Incorrect Approach | Right Approach |
Specific | You need to know exactly what you want and when. | I need money to pay my college fees in a year’s time. | I will save the money of RMB50,000 to pay my fees at college. |
Measurable | Your goal should be measurable so that you know when you can achieve it. | I will pay off my debts to my friends. | In the next six months, I will return RMB3000 to my two friends for lending me their money. |
Attainable | Your goals should be reasonable i.e. within your reach. | I will save money. | I will save RMB2000 each month by cutting down on eating out and partying. |
Realistic | Your goals need to be based on resources and tasks that you can reasonably accomplish. | If I save money I will be rich. | If I save regularly, need not borrow more money, I can pay off my debts by next year and will have enough savings till I begin to earn. |
Time-bound | Goals with timelines allow you to track your progress and encourage you to keep going until you reach your goal. | I will save money for my vehicle. | I will save RMB10,000 a year for the next 2 years for my vehicle. |