Live Your
Goals Today
REFLECT AND DREAM
Introduction
In this lesson, you will consider the types of careers you might be interested in and start working toward building the necessary skills right away. People who excel in their fields often begin developing these skills at a young age. You will create a calendar where you clearly outline when and how you will build these skills. The best way to become something is to start doing what they do today.
WHERE DO YOU BEGIN WHEN IT COMES TO ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS?
START WITH YOURSELF
Identify the skills needed for various careers.
REFLECT AND DREAM
THINK ABOUT LIVING THE FUTURE TODAY
Dr. Stephen Strange: How do I get from here to there?
The Ancient One: How did you get to reattach severed nerves and put a human spine back together bone by bone?
Dr. Stephen Strange: Study and practice. Years of it.
-Doctor Strange (2016)
What is the message behind this dialogue?
THINK ABOUT LIVING THE FUTURE TODAY
The phrase “years of study and practice” doesn’t just refer to time spent in school or “on the job training.” It means choosing to spend your own free time developing the skills necessary for success in your chosen field.
For example, if your goal is to become a rock star, then each day you should be playing your guitar, banging on the drums, or taking singing classes. Don’t just dream of being a rock star—start being one by doing what rock stars do.
THINK ABOUT LIVING THE FUTURE TODAY
The list below contains the 15 common careers that kids strive towards. Put a checkmark next to the ones that interest you most.
THINK ABOUT LIVING THE FUTURE TODAY
Pick one of the careers you put a checkmark on and list the types of skills needed, or tasks you think they might do. To help you identify these skills go to O*NET online and search for the career you chose.
HOW DO OTHERS PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE?
LOOK BEYOND YOURSELF
Identify what you can do today, to prepare for the future you want.
REFLECT AND DREAM
THINK ABOUT BECOMING A ___________
With a partner, read the stories on the next two slides. Compare and contrast the two stories about kids who want to become professional athletes.
WHO DO YOU THINK HAS THE BETTER CHANCE AT BEING A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER?
THINK ABOUT BECOMING A ___________
Jordan’s Story
THINK ABOUT BECOMING A ___________
Trey’s Story
THINK ABOUT BECOMING A ___________
Think about Jordan and Trey and their approach to becoming a professional baseball player. How were their approaches similar and how were they different?
THINK ABOUT BECOMING A ___________
Who do you think has the better chance at being a major league baseball player; Jordan or Trey? Why?
Discuss your answer with a partner and then be prepared for a class discussion.
HOW CAN I PREPARE NOW FOR MY FUTURE CAREER?
MAKE CONNECTIONS
Create a weekly schedule to help reach your career goals.
REFLECT AND DREAM
CONNECT “BUILDING MY SKILLS” DAILY PLAN
Earlier in the lesson you saw this list of careers. For this next activity you may choose from this list or pick any other job you know of that interests you.
CONNECT “BUILDING MY SKILLS” DAILY PLAN
You are going to create a daily skills lesson plan for yourself. Choose a career that interests you, and then create a 7-day plan outlining something you will do each day to build the various skills needed to excel in that job.
CONNECT “BUILDING MY SKILLS” DAILY PLAN
Trey’s Sample Schedule May 1 - 7
It shows how he decided to not just dream of being a baseball player, but how he decided to be a baseball player every day of his life.
CONNECT “BUILDING MY SKILLS” DAILY PLAN
7-Day Plan Criteria:
1. Daily Practice: At least one skill related to your future career must be practiced each day.
For example, if you plan on becoming an animal trainer, you might work with one of your pets each day to teach them a new trick or reinforce an old one.
2. Clear Outline: Your plan should be clearly detailed.
For example, “Between 1:00 and 1:30 PM at the park, I will work with my dog, Ellie, to train her how to heel and stop while on a leash.”
3. Minimum Duration: Your skills practice should be at least a half hour long, and the skills practiced should vary throughout the week.
Avoid repeating the same exact activity each day, as every career involves a variety of skills, not just one.
CONNECT “BUILDING MY SKILLS” DAILY PLAN
Use this template to develop your plan
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT LIVING YOUR GOALS TODAY?
REFLECT AND UPDATE YOUR THINKING
I can use what I have learned in this lesson to plan out my skill building activities in order to prepare for my future.
REFLECT AND DREAM
REFLECT ON LIVING YOUR GOALS TODAY