Goal Reflection and Revision

In Part 4, you are setting a goal for this project based on the outcome that you want to achieve. Knowing what you want the end result of this project to look like will help you to identify and implement the behaviors necessary to achieve that goal. Second, you are identifying a set of communication behaviors (in 4E) that will lead you to your goal. Be specific and very detailed. What will you do or say that is different?

Reminder: It is not time to implement new behaviors yet. This week you are setting a goal and identifying the new communication behaviors that will help you to achieve that goal.

Instructions

The interpersonal communication skill you selected earlier in this project is not yet stated in specific behavioral terms. For example, "I want to overcome shyness and meet new people," gives you little direction. Some questions you might ask yourself for that behavior goal include the following:

• What new people?
• Where will I meet them?
• When will I meet them?
• How many do I want to meet?
• How often?
• What will I say when I meet them?
• What do I typically do in these situations that I want to avoid?
• Provide a detailed outline of your movement through these 4 steps: 4A through 4D.

4A. Goal Reflection and Revision

Think about your original goal from CCC Part 1E. Review your Week 1 statements: "I can't" and "I won't." Read over your journal analysis of the CCC Part 2, and the positive models you want to emulate from CCC Part 3. Do you think your goal as written in Part 1E needs to be modified or changed? Address and submit the following:

Your original goal from CCC Part 1E.

What do you think your updated goal for this project should be now? It may be the same, slightly modified, or totally different from Part 1E.

Why is your goal the same as CCC Part 1E, or why did it need to be changed?

Link: Example

I want to be able to tell my family “no” when I do not want to do something for them. I do not want to be taken advantage of, and I want to stop feeling guilty when I do say ‘no."

4B. Behaviors Brainstorm

Jot down some communication behaviors that you associate with your goal. To arrive at this list, address and submit the following:

What must a person be saying and/or doing for me to say that he/she has achieved the goal?

Given a room full of people, what is the basis on which I will separate them into two classes: those who have achieved the goal and those who have not?

How will I recognize and measure goal achievement when I see it?

4C. Behavior Description

Describe each behavior. Do this in a statement that identifies the manner (or extent) of the behavior that is required to achieve the goal.

Link: Examples

Behavior 1

In order for me to achieve my goal of disciplining my daughter without becoming angry, I will wait until she has finished talking to ensure I hear her side of the story.

Behavior 2

In order for me to achieve my goal of disciplining my daughter without becoming angry, I will ask for clarification before I make a decision regarding discipline.

Repeat this statement for each behavior on your list. This step helps you to establish the criteria by which you will measure your success in reaching the goal.

State your goal in specific behavioral terms, considering these example questions again.

What new people?

Where will I meet them?

When will I meet them?

How many do I want to meet?

How often?

What will I say when I meet them?

What do I typically do in these situations that I want to avoid?

Use the following format:

4C1. Behavior 1: In order for me to achieve my goal of ..., I will . . .

4C2. Behavior 1: In order for me to achieve my goal of ..., I will . . .

4C3. Behavior 1: In order for me to achieve my goal of ..., I will . . .

Do this at least 3 times for each behavior.

4D. Description Revision

Now, look at your behaviors again. Consider this: If someone else performed the behaviors you have outlined, would you be willing to say that person has achieved your goal? Can you answer "yes" to this question for each of the behaviors you listed above in Part 4C? If not, modify the descriptions of the behaviors until you can say, "YES." The answer to Part 4D is YES or NO.

Do this over until you can state YES as the answer for each of the behaviors you have listed in 4C above.

In your description, explain why these behaviors would exemplify the attainment of your goal.

4E. Final Behavior List

Conclude with a clearly identified statement of the communication behaviors you intend to implement to achieve your interpersonal communication goal. Be specific.

Revisit these questions to help finalize the list:

What new people?

Where will I meet them?

When will I meet them?

How many do I want to meet?

How often?

What will I say when I meet them?

What do I typically do in these situations that I want to avoid?

Copy your goal from 4A and then add all your specific behaviors from 4C. Conclude with a clearly identified statement of the communication behaviors you intend to implement to achieve your interpersonal communication goal. Be specific and detailed.

Writing Requirements (APA format)

Length: 1.5-2 pages (not including title page or references page)

1-inch margins

Double spaced

12-point Times New Roman font

Title page

References page