SMART Goal Setting for Construction Trades Training

WELCOME TO

TradeWorks

Construction Trades Training Workshop

Your Employment Coach

Kevin Watt

BUBBLE 1

Ice Breaker

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What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

BUBBLE 2

What are goals?

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how do you define goals?

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A goal is an idea of the future or desired result that you envision, plan, and commit to achieve.

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What is the difference between a goal and a dream?

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A dream is an aspirational, imaginative thought or desire for the future with no real barriers, while a goal is a structured, actionable plan with a deadline designed to achieve that desire. Dreams represent "what if," whereas goals represent "what next".

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Looking back at the questions in the ice breaker "What would you do if you knew you could not fail?", did you write down a goal or a dream?

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Goals are usually small to be attainable. A goal like "I want a job" is actually the outcome of a series of goals like creating a resume is a different goal than creating a cover letter is a different goal than applying to an Indeed ad. If the goal seems too big to achieve, you probably just need to break it down into smaller pieces.

BUBBLE 3

What is visualization?

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Visualization is the process of creating vivid mental images or graphical representations that can act as "structured daydreaming" to simulate future outcomes

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Is visualization best used with goals or dreams?

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Both!

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Visualization is a powerful mental technique used for both goals and dreams, bridging the gap between imagination and reality by creating detailed mental images of desired outcomes. It increases motivation, confidence, and focus, allowing individuals to mentally rehearse success, which prepares the brain for action and helps turn aspirations into achieved goals.

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Why should you care about goal setting in the area of construction trades?

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Goal setting in the construction trades is essential because it transforms a chaotic, high-risk environment into a structured, efficient, and profitable operation. Without clear goals, construction projects are prone to delays, cost overruns, and safety issues, whereas well-defined goals—particularly SMART goals—act as a "blueprint" for success.

BUBBLE 5

SMART Goals

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SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) are important because they transform vague intentions into clear, actionable plans, significantly increasing the likelihood of success. They provide focus, motivation, and accountability while allowing you to track progress, meet deadlines, and allocate resources efficiently.

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S

= SPECIFIC

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SPECIFIC refers to being as clear and specific about what it is you want to accomplish. Define your goal in simple, direct terms that allow you to understand your objective at any stage of your progress.

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SPECIFIC is asking yourself the 'W' questions.

Who

– the people involved in reaching this goal

What

– the exact thing that you intend to achieve

When

– the estimated timeframe for the completion of the project (you can find out more about this in the time-bound section)

Where

– if the objective is location-based, you should establish it here

Which

– the resources necessary for completion and the limitations you need to overcome

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M

= Measurable

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MEASURABLE refers to how you can tell when you've made progress and how much more progress is required to reach your goal. In the workforce they may be called KPI - Key Performance Indicators

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A

= ATTAINABLE / ACHIEVABLE

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ATTAINABLE/ACHIEVABLE refers to how tangible the goal is and how realistic it is for you to be able to meet your objective. Achievable goals can be determined with practical time frames for completing each step and the goal overall. Think about whether you can achieve the goal now or if you should take additional steps that better prepare you for that goal.

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R

= REALISTIC / RELEVANT

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REALISTIC/RELEVANT refers to how closely the goal aligns with your core values, personality and larger, overall life and career goals. To determine a goal's relevance, identify the elements of what makes you want to pursue the goal and how it helps you reach larger objectives.

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T

= TIME BOUND / TIME FOCUSED

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TIME BOUND/TIME FOCUSED refers to the amount of time you plan to take to achieve the goal, which can help you better determine how long each step will take on your way to accomplishment.

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Put it to the test.

You are working as a labourer on a construction site and you heard they are hiring for a safety officer position that you think would be an awesome opportunity. How can SMART goals help us?

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Put it to the test.

You are working at ABC and the boss really ticks you off and you want to quit. You heard XYZ is hiring and it has go to be better there. How can SMART goals help us?

BUBBLE 6

Using goal setting to create an action plan

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Boots On The Ground.

In construction, showing up at a site or shop at 7:00 AM with a hard hat and a resume is still a gold standard.

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Can I use SMART to create a list of construction sites?

Can I use SMART to create a plan to get there?

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Digital Footprint.

Setting up alerts on Indeed/LinkedIn and cleaning up social media. Control what possible employers see.

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Can I use SMART to create a social media plan?

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The Network.

Talk to people and ask about opportunities that may have crossed their path. What was not right for them might be right for you.

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Can I use SMART to create a networking plan?

BUBBLE 7

From Plan to Paycheque

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A goal without a plan is just a dream. Today, you built the plan.

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Your Next Step:

What is one SMART action you will take before 7:00 AM tomorrow?

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Success is built one brick at a time. Go get started.