The Game of Goal Setting (And How To Win)

A goal, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is defined as something you are trying to do or achieve.  However, setting goals while a student in college is often difficult.  Throughout the four years that you are in college, your interests constantly develop and change, making setting goals almost impossible.  Have no fear people, below are a few helpful tips to setting and achieving realistic goals!

In order to accomplish your dreams:

Be Real With Yourself
Remember that the most important thing to do is to set goals that you are actually able to complete.  Set long term goals that reflect where you want to be in five years and short term goals to accomplish within the next year or so.  In college, it is easy to get carried away with big dreams and that's okay, but you have to be willing to work for them.

Make a Timeline 
Creating a timeline will allow for you to physically see the goals that you have created for yourself.  A timeline will also keep you on track on a daily basis.  Your timeline can be created on your computer or simply written out, but make sure you have one! Include dates and years for each goal and a description of what you want to accomplish and why.  A timeline is a great motivational tool!

Don't Give Up 
In a world of instant gratification, remember that goals are things to work towards. Goals and dreams go hand in hand.  You have to have goals in order to accomplish your dreams.  So remember to not give up when it feels like you have been working towards something that is hard to achieve.  Long term goals especially, are the hardest to accomplish because they can take years of work.  The goals that you work the hardest to achieve will yield the most rewards!

Work Hard, Play Hard 
In the wise words of Wiz Khalifa, "Work Hard, Play Hard," when you are goal setting.  Keep in mind that you have to work every single day to accomplish your dreams.  Stay motivated, stay confident and stay humble when trying to accomplish goals.  Take time off from working your every day job to do things you enjoy such as going to the beach or simply sitting down with a good book.  

In the end, goal setting can be a terribly scary experience when you can't see into the future.  Whether you are on the path to become a PR star or a different kind of professional, you are beyond capable of accomplishing you goals as long as you remind yourself of what you want daily!

What are some of your goals? Let us know in the comments!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Kaylie Corallo. 

What Game of Thrones Can Teach Us About Transparency

Warning: If you plan to watch the HBO show Game of Thrones, this does contain spoilers. 

​In the very first episode of HBO’s hit show Game of Thrones, we learn that the queen of Westeros, Cersei Lannister, has been involved in an incestuous relationship with her brother Jaime since before she was married to the king, Robert Baratheon. Unbeknownst to everyone but Cersei and Jaime, Cersei and Robert’s children are actually Jaime’s children, with no relation to King Robert at all, making the 3 kids 100% Lannister, and in no way related to the throne of Westeros. King Robert Baratheon dies under suspicious circumstances only a few episodes later, making Cersei’s oldest child, Joffrey, the new king. However, Robert Baratheon’s friend and advisor Ned Stark soon learns the truth about Cersei’s children, that they are not Baratheons and therefore not eligible for the throne.

       Right here is the main thing about public relations that Game of Thrones can teach us: to tell the truth and not try to cover up dirty secrets, because they’re going to come to light anyway. Ned Stark confronts Cersei about her children’s illegitimacy in private, and she uses her brother to have him imprisoned, and then her son has him beheaded. However, despite Cersei’s rather extreme reaction and attempted cover-up, Ned Start had already sent letters containing the truth to many different lords and ladies across the world.

​Take any class about public relations, or just ask most people, and you’ll realize that public relations practitioners, and the industry as a whole, are often perceived as masters of some dark art of manipulation, wherein the truth is never what you think it is. While this may have been somewhat true in the days of PT Barnum, nowadays, regardless of what you may want, the truth has to be clear and visible to all, no matter how dirty it is. In this modern age of technology, it’s nigh impossible to sweep something under the rug forever, and being caught trying to hide something will always make the situation worse. It’s always better to get out ahead of an ugly truth, by being upfront with it as soon as it is relevant.

       Spend 5 minutes with Game of Thrones, and you’ll realizethat one hallmark of the show is its intricate webs of internecine politics and relationships. Despite its complexity, Game of Thrones can teach us many practical, real life skills, especially about public relations.

       If you’re a fan of the show, what are some PR skills that you’ve seen in Game of Thrones? We’d love to hear from you!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Faiz Mandviwalla.

 

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