Start the Year Right: Set Goals For Your Flotilla

Adapted from CALE Learning Enhancement, Eastern Washington University

What is goal setting?

Goal setting is taking active steps to achieve your desired outcome. Maybe you hope to become an instructor, flotilla staff officer, or elected leader. Each of these dreams involves setting and reaching small (and big!) goals. These major goals can be broken down into smaller, more attainable goals that will propel you toward success.

There are three types of goals: process, performance, and outcome goals.

Process goals are specific actions or ‘processes’ of performing. For example, aiming to attend every flotilla meeting in 2023. Process goals are 100% controllable by the individual.

Performance goals are based on personal standards. For example, Earn two new qualifications. Personal goals are mostly controllable.

Outcome goals are based on winning or achieving. For an Auxiliary member, this could look like winning an election for an elected leadership position. Outcome goals are very difficult to control because of other outside influences.

Process, performance, and outcome goals have a linear relationship. This is important because if you achieve your process goals, you give yourself a good chance to achieve your performance goals. Similarly, when you achieve your performance goals, you have a better chance of achieving your outcome goal.

General Goal Setting Tips

• Set both short- and long-term goals.

• Set SMART goals.

• Set goals that motivate you.

• Write your goals down and put them in a place you can see.

• Adjust your goals as necessary.

• Recognize and reward yourself when you meet a goal.

Set all three types of goals- process, performance, and outcome – but focus on executing your smaller process goals to give you the best chance for success!

What is a SMART goal?

• Specific – highly detailed statement on what you want to accomplish (use who, what, where, how etc.)

• Measurable- how will you demonstrate and evaluate how your goal has been met?

• Attainable- they can be achieved by your hard work and dedication- make sure your goals are within your ability to achieve.

• Relevant- how do your goals align with your objectives?

• Time-based- set one or more target datesthese are the “by when” to guide your goal to successful and timely completion (include deadlines, frequency, and dates.)

Every staff officer is encouraged to write their goals for 2023. Share them with your elected leaders. Present them at a flotilla staff meeting. Is there something a fellow staff officer can do to help you achieve your goals? How can you contribute to the success of another staff officer’s goal? Working as a team increases your unit’s likelyhood of success.

Division 7 Facilities Assist the Coast Guard with Practicing Air Drops.

Articles and photos by George Papabeis

One of the more interesting operational activities for the Auxiliary is to assist the Coast Guard with the HC-130 Hercules aircraft drop mission. MISS DAISY and her crew enjoyed that exercise Monday, Feb. 6, 2023.

Coxswain Dean Bell, Flotilla 79, Tampa; Tracy Adkins, Flotilla 72, St. Petersburg; George Papabeis and Steve Williams, a trainee from Flotilla 74, Brandon, were aboard MISS DAISY.

DUTY CALLS with Dean Hoskins, Flotilla 72, St. Petersburg, coxswain; Paul Ruckert, Flotilla 75, Apollo Beach, and Charles Lambeth, Flotilla 78 St. Pete Beach, crew, served as a standby vessel. MISS DAISY put in at Ft. DeSoto boat ramp at 3:30 p.m. and transited through Bunce’s Pass to Tierra Verde Marina to pick up Coast Guard personnel, Airman Gabriel Sadell, AMTII Andrew Esker. They had spools to retrieve the lines of the air-dropped packages.

The packages included parachuted cans (two dropped) and a string of bags (two dropped). The cans contained radios, food, and emergency lights. The bags contained life rafts and other survival gear. HC-130s can also parachute drop water pumps. Ω

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