IMPORTANCE OF POSITIVE  GOALS TO YOUTHS 

By: Zainab Sambo

Goals are set in order to achieve an outcome. A goal can be a short term goal or a long term depending on when the outcome is required. Short term goals are not bad but it depends on whether it is a good one that is set or a bad one. A good short term can have a positive effect on a long term goal. Whereas, a bad short term goal can have a detrimental effect on the long term goal. A bad choice for a short term goal to be achieved is usually the cause of the bad effect. But when short term goals are made with the future in mind, a good short term goal is made which influences youths positively and also the society at large. 

The short term goals can be made whether intentionally or unintentionally especially among youths. Short term goals which are detrimental can be made with the full knowledge of its bad repercussion but it is made anyway so that a short term goal can be achieved. Also, some youths make the short term goals unintentionally by inculcating bad habits like laziness, lack of adequate time management, poor relationship with people and bad habits such as prostitution, smoking and drinking which have damaging effect on their health.

A girl with needs which cannot be satisfied by her parents could decide to go into prostitution, when her goal is achieved, her short term goal is met which can affect her in the long run with circumstances such as unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and even unwanted pregnancy in which the stigma and pain can affect her for the rest of her life and also in all ramification.

Also, drinking and smoking are very addictive because of some substances present in them such as nicotine in the case of cigarette which is one of the things youths are involved in. They do it for temporary pleasure, to become "sharper" and forget their troubles. Unfortunately, it is usually only for a short time because when the effect wears off, they get more devastated than ever before. Some are aware of this, while some are not aware of the negative effects they have on health because they destroy the liver and lungs respectively.

Laziness is also a "killer" for youths; it destroys one's future; because a lazy person hardly succeeds in live. There is an adage that says, "No food for a lazy man." When a person is lazy in school, it affects his/ her grades which becomes poor; even if not a student, being lazy affects a youth negatively, youth workers who are lazy suffer in their places of work by lack of promotion and also depression because of envy and hatred.

In conclusion, it does not matter whether it’s a short term goal, midterm goal or long term goal, what matters is whether the goal is positive or negative. Therefore, youths should always try and make good /positive goals in order not to fall victims of failure in life.