Assisting young people in setting and achieving goals
Every young person is unique, the result of an incredible combination of genetic data and experiences that shape who they are. Even among identical twins, large differences in behaviour, preferences, and ways of thinking are common. This leads to the unavoidable conclusion that every young person has something unique to offer the world. There is no one else on the planet who is exactly like them.
It is our responsibility as parents, educators, and daycare providers to assist these young people in reaching their goals and, ultimately, realising their dreams. To do so, we must teach them the importance of goal-setting in completing difficult and complex tasks.Here are some helpful hints to get you started:
1.Be precise.
Be a better basketball player” is a vague goal. Instead, be as specific as possible. A much more specific goal would be “complete 25 consecutive free throws three times per day.” Specificity assists everyone in determining their position in relation to the goal itself. At the end of the day, anyone should be able to assess whether or not the goal was met by looking at what was done in relation to it.
2.Begin small and follow a plan to completion.
We frequently tell our children to “aim for the stars.”While this is generally encouraging and motivating advice, it can become discouraging if a step-by-step plan for success is not in place. If a young person wants to improve at a specific sport, for example, break it down into its individual component parts and practice those separately. Set reasonable goals in one area and do not progress to the next until the goal is met.
3.Distribute rewards along the way.
The human brain craves instant gratification. Make use of this knowledge by rewarding the young person for small steps in the right direction. Psychological studies continue to show that rewards motivate people more than punishments. Receiving a small reward along the way to success A larger goal will instil in the young person a strong sense of self-worth and respect.
Finally, ensure that the young person is intrinsically motivated to succeed. Intrinsic motivation is motivation that originates within a person, whereas extrinsic motivation originates elsewhere. For example, the young person may be attempting to please or impress someone else (such as a parent or mentor) by accomplishing a specific goal. This is not necessarily a bad thing if the young person is motivated to gain the other person’s approval. It is something to be aware of, however, because it may lead the young person down a path they later regret.
