CHAPTER ACTIVITIES

Adopting a Success Attitude

PERCEIVING SETBACKS AS LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Regardless of how realistic your goals are and how many barriers you anticipate, at some point you won’t accomplish something you want to. Dealing effectively with your emotions when you experience setbacks and maintaining a positive attitude separates successful students from unsuccessful ones. Let’s use reflection to turn a goal-setting setback into a learning opportunity.

  1. Question 2.11

    Describe a goal you set (something that was important to you) but never achieved. Evaluate it using the SMART criteria described in this chapter. Was the goal specific, measurable, achievable, relevant to you, and time-limited? If not, how could you have redefined the goal so that it met all of those criteria?

  2. Question 2.12

    Describe how you felt when you didn’t achieve this goal. Did you experience negative feelings? Did these feelings affect your motivation to continue pursuing your goal?

  3. Question 2.13

    Reflect on what made it difficult to achieve your goal. Try not to place blame, but do consider the ways in which you may have been responsible for the setback.

  4. Question 2.14

    Identify what you could do differently to achieve this goal now and how you could maintain your motivation and stay positive. Also, who could help you reach this goal? List the names and contact information for personal or campus resources who could provide support if you experience this setback again.

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