When I was a kid, all I wanted to do was play baseball, and at the ripe age of 10, I had a plan that I would play in the big leagues. I would get to “the show” by the time I was 20 and then retire at 40. This was the first time I had a goal. I didn’t write it down, but I knew in my heart it’s what I wanted to do.
I had a good playing career through high school and college, and played for a while in the minor leagues. Even though I didn’t reach the big leagues, I learned a ton about life and the game I love along the way. Those life lessons set me up for success in my next career as a professional coach. Goal setting for kids is important—even more important, I learned, than meeting every goal. Here are 4 skills kids gain when they set goals.
1. Work Ethic
This is the willingness to start moving toward your goal. When kids set goals, it’s because they want to accomplish something. It’s the uncharted territory where they haven’t been before. It takes hard work to achieve their goals, and sometimes even harder work to sustain what they’ve accomplished. When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work, so encourage your kids to try something new and observe how it effects their work ethic.
2. Discipline
Once kids start working consistently toward their goal, they will typically encounter one of two things: success or failure. Now we know failure can be a great thing because that can fuel our work ethic and persistence. The key to persistence is passion, so when they are passionate about what they are doing, they will more than likely keep at it. The consistent work ethic breeds discipline.
3. Patience
It can take time to realize their goal, so as kids start to build their discipline, they also start to develop patience. Their patience will be tried again and again, so it’s very important to be a positive voice for them to go to when they get frustrated. Lots of versions circulate of a Thomas Edison quote: “I never once failed at making a lightbulb. I just found out 99 ways not to make one.” Regardless of which version of the quote is accurate, your child’s goal might require that much patience. And even if your kids don’t reach their goals, they will have gotten better at being patient, which is a skill transferable to any facet of life.
4. Perseverance
Adversity is going to happen, and it takes perseverance to realize your goal. When I played in the minor leagues in 1998, I had to overcome a major shoulder injury and ended up getting released three times. I stayed the course, signed with a team in August, and we ended up winning the Northeast League Championship. Five months later, the Chicago White Sox signed me to a contract, and I attended spring training. By staying the course to reach my goal during adversity, I matured and learned how to persevere. When kids learn to persevere through tough times, it helps them mature as they grow older.
Sound off: What are some ways you can encourage your kids to set goals at a young age?
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “What are your goals this school year?”