My SMART Goal Playbook

I want to be the President of the United States.

This was the bold and innocent dream of 5-year-old me. A tiny voice with big ambition.

As time went by, that childhood fantasy slowly changed into more "realistic" dreams: "Maybe I’ll be a designer." "Maybe a lawyer." With every passing year, my goals became more refined, more influenced by the world around me—what I’ve learn, what I’m good at, what I’m curious about, and what feels possible.

In this blog post, I want to share three very personal goals I’ve set for myself—one short-term, one medium-term, and one long-term. Using the SMART goal-setting method, I’m not just dreaming anymore. I’m planning, tracking, and working toward a future I can actually touch.

A short-term goal (next 3 months)

Complete My Customized “50-Day Challenge”

Recently, a self-discipline trend called the “50-Day Challenge” has gone viral on social media. I was deeply inspired by creators who shared how this challenge transformed their physical health, appearance, and inner mindset. I’ve always believed that a disciplined lifestyle is the foundation for achieving any ambitious goal. It also gives us a sense of control and confidence.

✅ Specificity

For 50 consecutive days, I will complete the following seven customized daily tasks that are more aligned with my routine based on the original challenge.

1. Wake up before 8 a.m.

2. Create a morning routine (15 minutes of meditation and breathing exercises)

3. Exercise (30 minutes of yoga in my dorm)

4. Read 1 page a day (It can be from books or the news)

5. Spend 15 minutes learning a new skill (Python or R programming)

6. Eat healthily (cut out sweets and sugary drinks like milk tea)

7. Follow an evening routine (write down 3 things I’m grateful for)

✅ Measurability

I will track my progress using a custom-made table on Notion, where I will record details about each task. For example, the exact time I wake up or what I read that day. I will also take pictures during my exercise and meditation sessions, along with a daily selfie, to visually document my mental and physical transformation over the 50 days.

✅ Attainability

This challenge is specifically tailored to be more doable for me. Since I haven’t had a consistent workout routine in the past, jumping straight into intense gym sessions or long-distance runs would probably lead to burnout and frustration. Instead, I have opted for beginner-friendly yoga that I can easily do in my room every day. Similarly, the 1–page reading and 15-minute skill sessions are small but impactful habits that won’t feel overwhelming, helping me build a sense of consistency and self-discipline gradually.

✅ Relevancy

Whenever I encounter confident, fit individuals, I’m struck by a bittersweet blend of admiration and self-doubt. Rather than staying trapped in comparison, I want to channel those feelings into action, building the life and habits I truly respect. This challenge is my commitment to cultivating a consistent, healthy routine and a stronger mindset. My goal is to grow into the best version of myself.

✅ Timeliness

I’m planning to launch the challenge on May 20th, with the goal of completing it by July 10th.

A medium-term goal (6 months - 1 year)

Build a Stock Price Predictive Model

As a student double-majoring in Economics and Math, I’m deeply fascinated by the intersection of the two subjects. In the next year, I want to complete a collaborative project that leverages machine learning techniques to forecast stock price movements. I want to go beyond just using traditional financial indicators like P/E ratios. I will also delve into alternative data sources—like news sentiment analysis, social media trends, and Google search volumes—to gain deeper insights into overall market sentiment.

✅ Specificity

The model will be developed in collaboration with peers who have strong programming and data analytics skills, complementing my expertise in mathematics and financial theory. Our final deliverables will include a fully functional model, well-documented code, and a comprehensive project report. Ideally, we aim to build an interactive website that makes our model easily accessible and practical for users to apply when making stock-buying decisions.

✅ Measurability

As briefly mentioned earlier, success will be defined by:

• The creation of a model with predictive power, assessed its performance using metrics like R-squared, mean squared error, and root-mean-squared error.

• The successful integration of at least three alternative data sources, such as sentiment analysis from news articles, social media activity on Twitter and Reddit, and Google Trends for company-related search terms. 

• The project is structured into four clearly defined, measurable phases to ensure we stay on track.

  • Data collection and clearing

  • Model selection and training

  • Model evaluation and refinement

  • Website building and final documentation

✅ Attainability

This project is manageable for beginners who have completed coursework in statistics, linear algebra, and the fundamentals of machine learning. As a personal project, I also have ample time outside of school to dive deeper into the concepts and explore various online learning resources. Since programming is not my primary strength, I’ve already connected with potential teammates from computer science and data science backgrounds—many of whom have prior experience with NLP-related projects. This makes the project highly feasible within the timeframe, as I won’t need to start from scratch. Each team member can contribute their expertise while also learning from one another in areas where they may be less familiar. 

✅ Relevancy

This goal aligns closely with my long-term interests in quantitative analysis, financial modeling, and algorithmic trading. Not only will it strengthen my resume and expand my GitHub portfolio, but it will also help me develop practical skills that are directly relevant to graduate studies. More importantly, it offers a valuable opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a hands-on project and learn through experience. I’m also genuinely curious about the topic, particularly how human sentiment influences market trends, and I’m excited to explore it through a mathematical lens.

✅ Timeliness

Month	Plans
1	Refine the project topic, form a collaborative team, and start learning the required skill sets.
2 - 3	Build and test data pipelines to collect, clean, and organize both financial and selected alternative datasets.
4 - 7	Begin feature engineering and initiate model training using the collected datasets.
8 - 9	Evaluate the model’s performance using appropriate metrics.
10 - 12	Finalize key data visualizations, organize model outputs, and begin website building for result demonstration and drafting the project report.

A long-term goal (3-5 years)

Get accepted into a Top Graduate Program in Mathematics

My long-term academic and career goal is to be admitted into a graduate program in mathematics or financial mathematics with a strong quantitative focus. I aim to pursue this goal within the next 3 to 5 years, ideally right after completing my undergraduate studies. This will prepare me for a future career as a quantitative analyst or quant researcher, a path that blends my dual interests in mathematics and economics with advanced computational thinking. I’m particularly interested in programs offered by institutions like NYU Courant, ETH Zurich, or the University of Chicago.

✅ Specificity

To achieve this goal, my first step will be to research graduate programs that align with my interests, particularly those with strong research in areas such as machine learning, probability theory, financial engineering, and risk modeling. I will carefully evaluate each program’s curriculum, faculty research, and career outcomes to ensure a good fit with my academic background.

My graduate school application will highlight a strong academic record in mathematics, statistics, and economics, along with relevant research experience and independent projects that demonstrate my analytical skills and initiative. I will seek compelling letters of recommendation from professors or mentors who can speak to my professionalism. Additionally, I will have a statement of purpose that outlines my research interests, long-term goals, and motivation for pursuing graduate study, while also showcasing my communication abilities and soft skills, such as teamwork, adaptability, and curiosity, that are essential for a collaborative learning environment.

✅ Measurability

Receiving acceptance letters from top global programs in my field is the most direct measure of success toward this goal. Tracking progress through measurable milestones along the way will help ensure that I’m on the right path. These milestones include maintaining a GPA of 3.8 or higher, especially excelling in advanced math and economics courses such as real analysis and linear algebra, and gaining hands-on experience by working in research labs that develop machine learning and data science skills.

While acceptance letters ultimately define the achievement of this goal, I believe the true value lies in how much I genuinely learn and enjoy the process. Success is not guaranteed simply by following the footsteps of others who have made it into similar programs. There is always an element of luck and timing that can influence the outcome. Therefore, I will also prioritize intangible qualities like steady growth, resilience, and passion throughout this journey, understanding that these traits are essential for long-term success and will prepare me well regardless of the final result.

✅ Attainability

I am steadily building a robust academic foundation through my double major in mathematics and economics. Beyond coursework, I have actively sought out and applied to research opportunities focused on ML and NLP, recognizing that hands-on experience is critical to deepening my understanding and sharpening my technical abilities.

To further prepare myself, I’ve reached out to PhD candidates and experts in the field, seeking mentorship and guidance that will help me clarify my long-term goals. This summer, I will be participating in an online research program, which is a unique chance to collaborate with passionate individuals from around the globe on a specialized mathematical topic. This experience will not only enhance my technical expertise but also broaden my perspective and foster a collaborative mindset.

While I may not yet be the strongest candidate, the progress I have made so far, combined with my unwavering commitment to learning, growth, and active participation, gives me confidence that what once seemed like an ambitious goal will ultimately become attainable. 

✅ Relevancy

This goal is a key step toward my longer-term goal of becoming a quantitative analyst. Many top firms in finance look for candidates with advanced training in math, programming, and financial theory. A graduate degree will give me the foundation I need to stand out in this competitive field. 

Beyond career requirements, this path excites me because it merges my love for problem-solving with real-world applications. I’m excited about the challenge of turning complex financial questions into mathematical models, using data to test theories and find patterns. It is more than about getting a job—it’s about truly understanding how markets work at their core.

✅ Timeliness

Year	Plans
Sophomore (now-end of 2nd year)	Maintain a high GPA while beginning to apply for research lab positions for the upcoming academic year. Ideally, get a published paper for the summer research program.
Junior	Maintain a strong GPA while joining a machine learning-focused research lab to gain hands-on experience. Actively build relationships with professors whose courses align with both my career goals and personal interests. Aim to secure a spot in an in-person summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program to deepen my research skills.
Senior	Request for recommendation letters and complete graduate school applications.

Setting SMART goals has helped me transform vague aspirations into concrete steps. As I reflected on the three goals I outlined, I realized they’re more connected than I initially thought—each one building on the other in a meaningful way. The short-term goal lays the essential foundation for discipline and consistency, which supports the habits needed to tackle future goals. Similarly, the medium-term project is a critical stepping stone toward achieving my long-term vision. Overall, setting goals and achieving them is more than just checking boxes; it is a journey about shaping myself into someone who can face both success and setbacks with resilience and strength.