Research has shown that hope is not just a vague feeling but a tangible force that can positively impact our lives and the lives of those we influence. The science of hope tells us that hopeful individuals tend to set more ambitious goals, persevere in the face of obstacles, and ultimately achieve greater success. In the realm of education, cultivating hope is like sowing the seeds of possibility in the fertile ground of young minds. It is important to recognize that hope is a way of thinking and not an emotion. Because hope is a way of thinking about our future, it can be taught and learned. “Hope is an active process. Hopeful people cannot just wish things into existence,” he says. “Hope requires a person to take responsibility for their wants and desires and take action in working towards them.” — John Parsi, executive director of the Hope Center.
One way to take responsibility for one's wants and to set a course of action is to set goals. Let’s learn a little more about three types of goals: process, performance and outcome.
Process goals are short-term, detailed goals that include the specific actions you want to accomplish. Process goals are smaller and more concrete than outcome goals. Setting process goals helps you define the steps necessary to complete before achieving your intended outcome. Ex: I will run three times next week for 45 minutes or I will study three nights this week for 45 minutes each night for the upcoming test.
Performance goals are usually expressed in terms of personal achievement, and usually are set in comparison with your own previous performances. These goals are often more flexible and within your control. Ex: I will run faster than I ran last week or I will score 10 points higher on this week’s test than I did on last week’s test.
Outcome goals are long-term, overarching goals that focus on a specific outcome. These goals focus on what you want to achieve rather than how you plan to achieve it. Since outcome goals are more abstract or broad, it can be helpful to use process goals to progress toward the larger outcome. Ex: I will run a marathon in April or I will make my highest test score ever.
Sometimes when we focus on outcome goals without setting process or performance goals, we fail to identify the various pathways to the goal and it can be harder to deal with potential barriers when they come along. Setting process or performance goals along the way can increase agency, allowing us to set a short-term goal, try it out and then readjust as necessary. This readjustment process also allows us to self-regulate thoughts, behaviors, and emotions as we pursue goals or experience setbacks in pursuit of goals.
