From Dreams to SMART Plans: Your First 90 Days

Why This Lesson Matters You now understand that your abilities are not fixed—you can learn and adapt. But how do you turn that belief into real career progress? That's where goal setting comes in. A Growth Mindset is the engine, and a goal is the map and compass. Without a goal, effort is just movement; with a goal, effort becomes progress.

In the competitive job market of Sri Lanka, employers don't just hire based on degrees; they hire candidates who show they can set a target and hit it. This demonstrates personal accountability and professional focus. This lesson introduces the SMART framework, which takes vague dreams ("I want a better job") and turns them into a detailed, executable plan ("I will complete the English Business Writing course by December 31st").

We will focus on the First 90 Days—a crucial period where you build momentum. Setting achievable, short-term goals creates a chain of small wins that boost confidence and signal to yourself, and future employers, that you are someone who gets things done.

Step 1: Connecting Mindset to Action

Before setting a goal, you must choose the Growth Mindset (Module 1). If your goal is challenging (e.g., learning basic coding), the fixed mindset says, "I can't do this." The growth mindset says, "This is difficult, and I will need a plan." A plan breaks the overwhelming goal into small, manageable steps.

Your goals should reflect your values and needs. In the local context, this often means goals related to:

1. Financial Stability: Increasing income or starting a side hustle.

2. Skills Acquisition: Learning new software, improving English, or gaining a technical certification.

3. Career Advancement: Getting a promotion, moving into a new department, or securing an internship.

Step 2: Mastering the SMART Framework

The SMART framework is the universal standard for goal setting because it works for anything, from saving money (Financial Literacy) to learning a new skill (Employability).

Step 3: Planning Your First 90 Days (Momentum Builder)

The first 90 days in any new role (or in your job search preparation) are critical for establishing momentum. Focus on 2-3 high-impact, short-term SMART goals that you can complete in this timeframe.

1. Goal Audit: Review your current situation (skills you lack, certifications you need, areas where you feel fear).

2. Select Impact: Choose goals that directly remove a weakness or add a high-value skill (e.g., getting a driver's license to expand job mobility, or completing a specific accounting software certification).

3. Break it Down: Once you have the 90-day goal, break it into 3 monthly milestones and then into weekly actions.

   • Example 90-Day Goal: Secure a part-time internship at a local business.

   • Month 1: Finalize resume (Lesson 10), research 10 businesses, and send 5 connection requests on LinkedIn/email.

   • Month 2: Follow up with all 5 contacts, and complete a free online soft skills workshop (Module 4).

   • Month 3: Send 5 more personalized applications and secure at least 3 informational interviews.

Step 4: The Practice of Personal Accountability

Goals are promises you make to yourself. Accountability is the habit of keeping those promises.

• Track Publicly (If Possible): Share your goal with one trusted friend, mentor, or family member. When others know your goal, you are much less likely to quit.

• Schedule Your Actions: Don't just write down the goal; schedule the time to work on the weekly actions. If you need to study for 3 hours, put "Study" into your schedule like it is an appointment you cannot miss.

• Weekly Review: At the start or end of the week, spend 10 minutes reviewing your progress. Ask: "Did I hit last week's target? If not, why? What is the one thing I must accomplish this week to get back on track?" This is the core of self-management.

The Golden Rule Don't confuse activity with achievement. Make sure every action moves you toward a SMART goal.

Your Path: Unplanned vs. Accountable

Exercises: Your Turn to Plan

Exercise 1 — Draft Your 90-Day SMART Goal. 

Choose one area (skill, finance, or career) and write out one primary goal using the SMART framework. Ensure you fill in every letter of the acronym. Example: (S) Get my Heavy Vehicle License (HV) to drive trucks for better income, (M) LKR 15,000 for fees, (A) I have the time and access to a driving school, (R) Directly increases my income potential by 40%, (T) Pass the final test by the end of the next 90 days.

Exercise 2 — Create 3 Monthly Milestones. 

Take your 90-day goal and divide it into three main checkpoints. Write down what must be accomplished at the end of Month 1, Month 2, and Month 3. These milestones must be measurable.

Exercise 3 — Identify Your Accountability Partner. 

Choose one trusted person (friend, sibling, mentor) and tell them your 90-day goal and your first monthly milestone. Ask them to check in with you once a week and ask a simple question: "What progress did you make this week?"

Exercise 4 — Schedule the First Action. 

Look at your weekly actions for the first milestone. Immediately block out time in your day planner (or phone calendar) for the single, most important action you need to take this week. If it's enrollment, schedule the time to visit the school. If it's a study skill, schedule the time to start.

Quick Win Write your primary 90-day SMART goal on a small card and post it near your study area or workstation. This makes the invisible goal visible.

Common Roadblocks (and Simple Fixes)

Keeping Yourself Motivated Motivation comes from proof of progress, which is why tracking is essential.

1. Visualize Success: Keep the picture of your completed goal (e.g., the HV license, the new skill certificate) visible. This is your "why."

2. The Streak Method: Use a physical calendar and put a big "X" on every day you worked on your goal, even if only for 15 minutes. Try not to break the chain of "X"s.

3. Reward Milestones: When you hit a monthly milestone, give yourself a small, non-money reward (e.g., a favorite meal, a day off from study, a movie night). This reinforces the behavior.

Your Step is Complete You have transformed your belief in change into a clear, measurable plan. You now have a 90-day target broken into accountable steps. Remember to protect your goal time fiercely, track your progress honestly, and use your accountability partner to stay focused.