Basic 6 · Our World and Our People · My Family
Preparing for and Achieving Our Aspirations
In this topic you will explain how to set goals and prepare to achieve your aspirations in life.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain what aspirations and goals are
- Set SMART goals
- Describe the steps and qualities needed to achieve aspirations
What you already know
- Personal hygiene and managing adolescence
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- All About Us
- Sub-strand
- My Family
- Indicator
- B6.1.2.3.1 – Explain how to prepare and accomplish aspirations in life
Introduction
Some pupils want to become doctors, engineers, farmers, teachers, footballers or business owners. These dreams are called aspirations. With planning and hard work, dreams can become reality.
1. Aspirations and Goals
Aspiration: A strong hope or ambition to achieve something in life.
Goal: A specific target you work towards to reach your aspiration.
Goals can be short-term (this week or term) or long-term (years from now). Short-term goals are steps towards long-term goals.
2. SMART Goals
| Letter | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| S | Specific | "I will improve my maths score." |
| M | Measurable | "from 60% to 75%" |
| A | Achievable | possible with effort |
| R | Relevant | helps me become an engineer |
| T | Time-bound | "by the end of this term" |
3. Steps to Achieve Aspirations
- Discover your interests and talents.
- Learn about careers that match them (talk to people in those jobs).
- Set short-term and long-term SMART goals.
- Work hard in school and develop skills.
- Seek guidance from parents, teachers and mentors.
- Avoid distractions and harmful habits.
- Review your progress and adjust your plan.
4. Qualities Needed
| Quality | Meaning |
|---|---|
| hard work | putting in effort consistently |
| discipline | doing what is right even when it is hard |
| perseverance | not giving up after failure |
| honesty | gaining trust through truthfulness |
| time management | using time wisely |
| confidence | believing in your abilities |
5. Overcoming Obstacles
Obstacles such as poverty, illness or failure can delay dreams, but they need not stop them. Many successful Ghanaians came from humble backgrounds. Scholarships, part-time work, support from family and the community, and a positive attitude can help. Failure is a lesson, not the end.
It is also wise to have more than one option. A pupil who wants to be a doctor might also be interested in nursing, pharmacy or laboratory science. Learning widely keeps many doors open.
Write your aspiration where you can see it every day, and review your goals at the end of each term.
New words
- aspiration
- A strong hope or ambition.
- goal
- A specific target.
- SMART
- Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
- mentor
- An experienced person who guides you.
- perseverance
- Continuing despite difficulties.
- obstacle
- Something that blocks progress.
Summary
- Aspirations are life ambitions; goals are steps to reach them.
- SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
- Hard work, discipline and perseverance help achieve aspirations.
- Obstacles can be overcome with support and a positive attitude.
Class activity: Career Day
- Invite people from different occupations to talk to the class (or interview them).
- Each pupil writes their aspiration and three SMART goals.
- Display the goals on a "Dream Wall".
You need: Picture cards of Ghanaian occupations, Goal ladder on manila card, Exercise books
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. A strong hope or ambition is an…
- A. aspiration
- B. obstacle
- C. myth
- D. habit
Show answer
Answer: aspirationA life dream.2. In SMART goals, "T" stands for…
- A. Time-bound
- B. Tall
- C. Talented
- D. Tested
Show answer
Answer: Time-boundHas a deadline.3. An experienced person who guides you is a…
- A. mentor
- B. rival
- C. stranger
- D. critic
Show answer
Answer: mentorGives advice.4. Short-term goals help achieve long-term goals.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueThey are steps.5. Failure means you should give up your aspiration.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseFailure is a lesson.6. Continuing despite difficulties is ______.
Show answer
Answer: perseveranceNot giving up.7. Write one SMART goal for this term.
Show answer
Answer: E.g. I will read one storybook every two weeks until December.Specific and time-bound.8. Explain how a pupil from a poor family can still achieve their aspiration.
Show answer
Answer: Through hard work, scholarships, support from family and community, and perseverance.Overcoming obstacles.
Homework
- Interview someone in the career you want and write what they did to get there.