Here’s Why We Don’t Set Marks As Goals

After being a student through 6 years of high school and 3.5 years of uni, there’s one lesson that stands out the most.

Setting and aiming to achieve a specific mark or grade is STRESSFUL.

I have been there with you, where I’ve written down a number that I want to achieve in x subject (the number often being one I’ve plucked out of thin air), and then either:

a) forgotten all about it, or

b) spent the whole term/semester fixated on this single number.

But here’s the truth - success is not about a number on a page. We know this deep down, and some of us preach it often (’it’s about the journey, not the destination!!!’) but when it comes to goal setting, we’re stuck in our old ways.

We often set specific marks or grades as the ultimate destination.

Here’s the game changer to shifting out of this mindset AND actually achieving your goals:
Action-oriented goals.

Instead of fixating on the outcome, action-oriented goals zoom in on the steps, the habits, and the daily grind that lead to success. It's a shift from 'What grade did I get?' to 'What did I do today to get better?'

Ok, let’s get to the nitty gritty. What do these goals look like in practice?

Here’s an example:

Outcome oriented goal: I want to achieve a 75% in maths.

Action oriented goal: I want to set aside 3 hours of time to do maths revision each week.

Rather than fixating on achieving a 75%, focus on the steps that will naturally lead you there. Set aside dedicated time for math revision each week, immerse yourself in the material, and watch the results come to you.

By shifting your focus from marks to actions, you'll discover a more fulfilling, empowering, and successful journey.

Next time you’re setting goals, ask yourself: is this an outcome oriented goal, or an action oriented goal?