A study on Harvard MBA grads revealed that three percent of the grads made 10 times as much as the other 97 percent combined. Wow! The difference was they had clear, written goals—and plans to accomplish them. I wish someone had taught me this as a kid. I didn’t learn how to consistently practice goal setting until I was an adult. I’m certain it would have saved me years of frustration and helped me to achieve more goals.
If you’ve never taught your kids about goal setting, begin immediately.With that knowledge, goal setting for kids is important and the Harvard study is a perfect example. If you’ve never taught your kids about goal setting, begin immediately. If you have, make sure you make it a practice to review their goals with them, either quarterly or annually. Here are some ways you can help your kids set goals and achieve them.
1. Ask them what the biggest thing they accomplished this past year is and discuss it.
2. Have your kids write down the different roles they have in life—son/daughter, sibling, student, friend, athlete, musician, etc.
3. Have them write down one goal for each of the roles they listed. Make sure they are S.M.A.R.T. goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-Specific).
4. Have them put their goals on a large poster board. Give them the opportunity to be creative and make it into a craft. Print letters, but out letters, or have them get artistic and write their goals out with colorful markers.
5. Have them add pictures from magazines that represent each goal. When done, they will have their own goal board to place in an area they will see daily.
6. Help them set mini-milestones and rewards that will help them take steps throughout the year to achieve their goals.
7. Congratulate them, encourage them, and support them throughout the year for working toward their goals.
Sound off: How can you best support your kids throughout the year to help them reach their goals?
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “What’s the biggest thing you want to accomplish this year?”