Achieving Your Goals through Self-discipline

Yesterday, our principal Ms Lai shared with us about “hope”. Today, I want to follow up with a question: What is the difference between hope and a dream? Both are essential to our journey, but they serve different roles in shaping our futures.
Dreams are visions of what we want to achieve. They inspire us and ignite our passions. Whether you wanna becoming a scientist, an artist, or a leader in your community, dreams are the goals that guide your aspirations. However, dreams without action can just remain as dreams. This is where “hope” comes into play. Hope is the belief that we can achieve those dreams, and it drives our determination and helps us overcome challenges.
To turn dreams into reality, we may first appreciate our own strengths and recognize our potential. Each of you has unique talents and abilities waiting to be developed. Embracing these strengths is the first step toward achieving your dreams. Take the time to identify what you are good at -maybe academics, sports, arts, or leadership? Have you made good use of your talents? More importantly, gripping the opportunities to further cultivate them?

Setting proper goals is equally important. Goals give us direction and purpose. Ensure your goals are set in a SMART way — specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. For example, rather than simply wishing or dreaming to become a doctor, you might set a goal to improve your academic performance first, such as, you need to spend a certain number of hours to revise for the upcoming chemistry test next week and aiming for at least a 10% increase in your score compared to the previous test. Write down a clear plan for your different goals to achieve at different stages. This is where self-discipline comes into play.
Self-discipline is the commitment to follow through on your plans. It involves building a routine that prioritizes your studies and personal growth. Just like in the example I provided, you need to have the self-discipline to set dedicated time for revision while minimizing distractions like mobile phones or online games. Remember, every small effort counts. It’s the daily habits that build the foundation for your future success.
During Parents’ Days, I met many students who were not performing well academically. Many of them lacked self-discipline and were often deadline fighters, who just spent a very short time and put in very little effort right before assessments. Remember, your progress, no matter how small, makes a difference. Each step you take is proof of your hard work and dedication. Acknowledge your achievements and use them as motivation to keep moving forward.
In conclusion, let us make our dreams come true by recognizing our own strengths, having hope, and staying positive about the opportunities to develop ourselves. Take action and commit to your goals with strict self-discipline.
Believe in yourselves and work hard. I look forward to seeing your improvements in this academic year. God Bless.

Ms Wong SM