The new year 2025 is here and many of us Cameroonian youths have trippled our desire to succeed. We think about the mistakes we made in 2024 and earnestly promise never to repeat them. We are prone to trying so many success recipes, one being setting goals.
It’s important to fully understand what it entails and what’s expected of you in order to achieve your goals. Firstly, we set goals for clarity, focus, and measurement of progress. Here are tips on how to achieve success as a young Cameroonian by setting goals, and how to set goals.
Identify your passion: This will help you set goals that align with your strengths and interests.
Write down your goals: Make them concrete and you will stay focused and motivated.
Break down your goals: It’s easy to stay on track and achieve progress when they are broken in smaller manageable tasks. Set to achieve short term goals first, while keeping an eye on long term goals.
Create an action plan: This will enable you stay focused, away from distractions. This also includes planning out your day, week,or month with dedicated time to work on your goals
Seek support: Share your goals with friends and families,and ask them to hold you accountable.
Be flexible: Some unexpected opportunities or challenges might come along the way so be ready to handle them without drifting away from your goals.
Celebrate Progress Along the way: This will help you stay motivated and encouraged.
Evaluate your progress: This will enable you know how far you’ve gone and how much work you need to put into achieving your goals.
Steps to Set Effective Goals
Define Your Vision:
Picture where you want to be in the next 5–10 years.
Set SMART Goals:
Specific: Clearly state what you want to achieve.
Example: “Launch a poultry farming business in Mbengwi.”
Measurable: Ensure you can track progress.
Example: “Produce 500 chickens monthly within the first year.”
Achievable: Be realistic but ambitious.
Example: “Start with a small farm and expand gradually.”
Relevant: Align goals with your long-term vision.
Example: “Agribusiness aligns with local demand and personal interests.”
Time-bound: Set deadlines for accountability.
Example: “Register the business within six months.”
Leverage Resources
Utilize available opportunities: Join vocational training programs. Apply for youth-focused grants or microloans.
Monitor and be accountable: Regularly review progress and make adjustments as needed.
Have someone you give account to, that will help you stay motivated and the person will push you to achieve your goals.
Example: If funding delays arise, explore crowdfunding or partnerships.
It’s important to note that challenges may come along the way but you can handle them by;
Seeking mentorship from successful individuals in your field: Join youth organizations for networking and support.
Explore government or NGO grants for young entrepreneurs.
Start small with available resources and scale over time.
Educating your community about the benefits of your goals, especially if they challenge traditional norms.
Here is an Inspirational Example of a Cameroonian youth who succeeded by setting goals.
Roland Fomundam, overcame financial hurdles to establish “Green House Ventures,” an agribusiness focused on sustainable farming.
Success comes from having a clear vision, setting actionable goals, and staying persistent. By leveraging local opportunities and addressing barriers, young Cameroonians can create an impactful future.
By Margaret, and Mervielle (BBCam Fellows 2024/2025)