Life Skills and Leadership Manual - Peace Corps

Life Skills & Leadership: Unit 3, Session 2: SMART Goals | Page 17 of 67

Instructional Sequence

I. Motivation ( 15 minutes)
Materials:
Flip chart paper or old newspapers, tape

A. Telescope

Participants describe the importance of seeing both the big picture and the small details when setting a

goal.

1. Set the context for the session. Say:

“Last time we talked about some of the basics of making goals for ourselves. We learned that when

we have a clear goal, we can take small steps to reach it over time. Today we want to continue

learning about making goals and discover how to be more successful by having clear, well-

developed goals.”

Note: Make any necessary references to the discussion you had in Session 1: Goal Setting: The Basics that validate the

local culture’s perspective on influencing and shaping one’s future.

2. Distribute a sheet of paper or old newspaper to each participant. Instruct participants to roll their
   paper into a long tube with a diameter a little larger than their eye. Use tape to keep it in place.
   Say:

“I’d like you to look at an object across the learning space. (This could be a picture on the wall,

objects on a table or shelf, or something visible from a window. If you can, take participants outside

where they can find more objects to choose from. Encourage them to select objects as opposed to

people, especially their fellow participants. They do not all need to look at the same object.)

“Then I would like you to cover or close one eye and, with the other, look through your tube at your

object. Without moving closer to it, explore your object by looking through the tube. If you can see

the whole object through your tube, try looking at a larger object or one that is closer to you. Make

a note in your mind of all the details about the object.”

3. Let participants look at their objects for a few moments, then gather them into a circle and discuss
   the following questions:

“First you looked at an object then looked at it again through your tube. In which case were

you able to notice more details? (Possible answer: When looking through the tube)

What was it about looking through the tube that helped you notice more details? (Possible

answers: There were fewer distractions. I couldn’t see too much at once so I kept moving

the tube around. Looking through the tube made some things stand out more.)

What other differences did looking through the tube make? (Possible answers: It slowed me

down and forced me to take my time. The object was more interesting and I looked at it

longer. My arms and eyes got tired!)