The 10-Minute International Librarian #38: Define an achievable short-term goal

Previously in our 10-Minute International Librarian series, we have focused on long-term visions (exercise 27) and values (exercise 34).

These are important if we are to maintain focus, and help us take strategic decisions.

Yet these can often seem far off, and may not be particularly useful in making choices day to day.

That’s why it is important to match your long-term goals with ideas for what you can do in the coming weeks or months.

So for our 38th 10-Minute International Librarian exercise, define an achievable short-term goal.

Think what the first step you need to take is in order to meet your long-term objectives.

You may even want to work backwards, defining what conditions need to be in place, and how you can achieve this.

For example, to update your offer of training to users, you may need to carry out an assessment of needs. To do this, you may need to find ways to connect more strongly with the community.

Similarly, you may need to build up connections with potential partners. But to do this, it will be important to know what capacity you have already, and what you can offer.

Each of these can be a short-term goal.

Importantly, be realistic about what you can achieve with the time and resources you have. Ideally, you should be able to turn a big task into a series of actions that you can complete relatively simply, without losing sight of the end goal.

Good luck!

 

This idea relates to the IFLA Strategy! 3.3 Empower the field at the national and regional levels.

As we publish more ideas, you will be able to view these using the #10MinuteInternationalLibrarian tag on this blog, and of course on IFLA’s Ideas Store! Do also share your ideas in the comments box.