We see it every year. As a new year begins — the gyms are full, people begin eating healthier and we all set goals for ourselves to live a healthier lifestyle. While we all have differing methods of self-improvement, one commonality exists among us: we are setting goals.

As FFA members, we have the opportunity to do the same thing. We are presented with countless opportunities to develop skills that push us to be successful not only in FFA, but also in the workforce. When we take advantage of these opportunities, we build a skillset that sets us apart from others.

As we pursue these opportunities, we are faced with challenges. Our applications won’t always get accepted, we might not win with our career development and leadership development events, and we might not feel fit for the challenge. However, if we set goals, we can overcome these obstacles and rise to the top.

Our goals should outline what we want to accomplish so that we can establish a plan of action. You see, our goals are only useful if we actually put them into action. Throughout my own FFA career, I had the chance to set a few goals that pushed me to be a better version of myself. For example, I set a goal with my livestock judging team to win the livestock evaluation career development event at state convention. It was because of that goal that I learned the value of hard work and had the chance to experience what teamwork is about.

If you take the time to set goals and strive for greatness, you can and will be the best version of yourself. It won’t be easy. You will have times when you feel like quitting, but by pushing yourself to keep working, you can accomplish your goals and reach your full potential.