Setting goals

What is goal setting?

The process of establishing specific and measurable objectives; time-measurable (i.e. setting goals for the week, the month and/or the season); helps to challenge oneself and can help identify and improve weaknesses in order to maximize potential.

Kids need to know how to come up with a proper goal and what to include: share with them that goals need to start out small, be measurable and achievable. Help them to establish a plan for achieving their goals – talk to them about allotting sufficient time for practice, and for study. They should be encouraged to set weekly, monthly and seasonal goals and to evaluate regularly. Remember, all kids have goals. They just may not communicate them properly. Encourage them to share them with you so you can help them attain them and to ensure that they aren’t
setting themselves up for disappointment if they are unrealistic.

Monitor their goals, and talk to them when the deadline approaches. Have they attained their goal? If yes, praise and encourage them to set up their next goals. It can take many weekly and monthly goals in order to reach the larger goal. Help them to re-evaluate their goals so they can attain them. Did they not allow themselves enough time? Did they fail to seek help from other resources that could have helped along the way? Identify the issues and let them know that obstacles and mistakes are part of the goal-setting process and can often be the best way for them to learn.