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–Prepare–

Set a High Quality Goal

Steps of Preparing:

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Why is Goal-Setting Important?

Setting a goal is an essential step in the process of self-regulation because it helps us focus our attention and energy toward a desired outcome, rather than exerting our energy in a scattered and disorganized manner.  Goal-setting also sets the stage for our success during the "Take-Action" phase and "Reflection" phase.  For example, consider how difficult it would be to reflect after the Take Action phase if we did not set a clear goal.

Our page on Getting Started provides a framework for conversations with your child about selecting a broad goal that you both value and for which you can each make a commitment to invest the necessary time and energy needed to achieve the goal.  Now it is time to make sure your mutual goal is stated in a way that allows you to monitor progress and success.

We encourage you to have a clear understanding of goal-setting before you move to the next step.  If you are knowledgeable about goal setting and already have a well developed goal, use the button at the bottom or top of the page to go directly to the next planning step.  If you are not familiar with setting specific goals, read on and the information below should help you.

The Impact of Goal-Setting on Reflection

No Goal or Vague Goal (Do a good job on the spelling test)

  • Outcome: Johnny received a 75% on his spelling test

  • Reflection: What can we say about this? Is this good? Is this bad? We can't really be sure unless we know what Johnny was aiming for. 

 

Specific Goal: (Johnny wants to earn an 85% on his next spelling test)

  • Outcome: Johnny received a 75% on his spelling test.

  • Reflection: We can say that Johnny did not meet his goal for his spelling test and maybe he needs to make some changes in how he prepare for his next test if he is going to meet his goal on the next one.

 

As this example demonstrates, having a specific goal allows us to compare our performance to a "bench mark."  Think about the winter  Olympics. After the first skier takes a run down the mountain, the next competitor then can set a goal to finish the run in less time.  A more in-depth discussion of setting quality goals can be found in the article Goal Setting and Hope: Helping Children See the Possible.  

Now, let's consider a few brief points about setting quality goals using the acronym "SMART."

SMART Goals

  • Specific - You and your child need to develop goals that are specific and not vague.  For example, "I want to run fast" is not very specific because definitions of "fast" will differ. Instead, a more specific goal might be: I want to run this half mile in 2 minutes.

  • Measurable - Specific and measurable goals go hand in hand. If we made our goal, specific and measurable we should be able to clearly identify later whether we obtained that goal. For example, can we measure "fast"?  No, we can't.  Could we measure miles per hour? Yes, we can.  Could we measure time to run a half mile?  Yes!  When determining if your goal is measurable, ask yourself "when will we know that the goal was accomplished."

  • Achievable and Realistic - The goal should be within reason, challenging but not too difficult.   It is tempting to change everything at once or shoot for rapid unsustainable progress, like the dieter who plans to lose five pounds a week.  Also, there may be a temptation to set an easily achievable goal.  It is better to start with a goal that is difficult, but not too difficult .  A new, more difficult goal can be set after the first goal is achieved.  (Maybe running a half mile at a 2 minute pace isn't very realistic.  After all, the last time I ran it took me 6 minutes, but I wasn't really pushing myself.  I will start with a goal of running that half mile in 5 minutes.  When I get there, I will celebrate my success and then set a new goal.)

  • Time-Bound - Goals need to be set within a time frame that allows time to reach the goal but is not too far distant.  If there is not time frame, you will have difficulty determining if you are making progress toward your goal. For example, I want to run a half mile in 5 minutes by the end of May gives us a time frame. If you set this goal on April 15th, you will have about a month and a half to reach it.  On June 1st, you can review your progress toward the goal and determine if it was met.

In addition, goals are more meaningful when they are not too far off in the future.  A month and a half may be a good time-frame for the running goal.  However, a time frame of December of 2030 will relieve the pressure to get to work?  For improving homework completion the best time frame for the first goal may be a week or two.  

[NOTE:  In a limited number of situations, setting a relatively easy goal may be the appropriate starting point. If a child is extremely sensitive or suffers from a severe lack of confidence it may be necessary to start with a readily attainable goal. However, for children in these circumstances strategies for improving resilience and persistence should be in place to improve the child's tolerance for challenge and stress.   If your child is highly sensitive to failure we recommend you review the tools and information on the Mindset for Achievement website. http://keystoaccomplishment.weebly.com/]

Goal Setting Worksheet

The file here provides a worksheet to help you organize your thoughts to help you set a high quality goal.  It can also serves as a checklist to help assure you have a goal that meets the criteria necessary for strategic planning.

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