Initial Goal Setting Session
Two individuals, perhaps a mentor and mentee, or colleagues, are discussing their aspirations and beginning to define specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for the upcoming year or quarter.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
goals
Aims or targets you want to achieve, like improving skills or habits. Use it when discussing plans, e.g., 'What are your goals for the year?'
personal growth
The process of improving yourself in non-work areas, like health or routines. It's useful in self-improvement talks, e.g., 'Focus on personal growth.'
professional growth
Development in your career or job skills. Common in work discussions, e.g., 'I'm seeking professional growth opportunities.'
disciplined
Having self-control and sticking to routines. Use it for habits, e.g., 'I need to be more disciplined with exercise.'
morning routine
Daily activities you do in the morning, like exercising or reading. Practical for talking about daily habits.
SMART goal
A goal that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Use this framework to set clear objectives, e.g., 'Make your goal SMART.'
achievable
Something that can be done realistically. Part of SMART goals, e.g., 'Is this goal achievable for you?'
track
To monitor or record progress. Useful for habits or projects, e.g., 'I'll track my workouts in an app.'
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
What's on your mind when you think about personal and professional growth?
This is a polite way to start a conversation about ideas or thoughts. It's useful for goal-setting discussions to invite sharing. The question structure uses 'what's on your mind' for informal brainstorming.
I've been thinking a lot about it.
This shows you've considered something deeply. Use it to respond when someone asks for your opinions. The present perfect 'I've been thinking' indicates ongoing action up to now.
To make it a SMART goal, can you be more specific?
This suggests refining a goal using the SMART method. Useful in planning sessions to clarify details. It uses 'to make it' for purpose and a polite request with 'can you.'
I'd like to complete the course and apply at least three new techniques by the end of June.
This sets a clear, time-bound goal. Practical for stating objectives. 'I'd like to' expresses polite desire, and 'by the end of' specifies a deadline.
Is it relevant to your career path?
This checks if a goal fits your long-term plans. Use in discussions to ensure alignment. It's a yes/no question for quick confirmation.
It'll directly impact my efficiency and provide deeper insights.
This explains benefits of a goal. Useful for justifying choices. 'It'll' is a contraction of 'it will' for future prediction, showing cause and effect.
I want to consistently wake up by 6:30 AM and complete a 30-minute workout, at least 5 days a week.
This defines a personal habit goal with details. Great for describing routines. 'Consistently' means regularly, and 'at least' sets a minimum.
That's a solid plan. These are excellent SMART goals to start with.
This gives positive feedback on ideas. Use to encourage in mentoring. 'Solid' means reliable, and it's a compound sentence praising multiple items.