Goals are the objects of a person’s ambition and effort. They are the aimed for a particular end result. When you set a goal, in your mind, you see yourself achieve it. Once you’ve set a goal, then starts the process of working towards it, because merely setting a goal doesn’t entitle its fulfilment. Setting goals or aims is a measure of a person’s ambition. One simply cannot wish to be successful but not have a set of goals or targets to reach there.
Goals are as important to children as they are to adults. They might not be as complex but they are very vital for their intellectual development.
A child who consistently achieves his/her goals grows up to become confident
These are reasons why teaching your kids to be goal oriented is important:
- Sense of Decisiveness: They learn how to make decisions for themselves and also learn how to stick by them.
- Importance of Hard work, resolution and sacrifice: ‘No pain, no gain’, is a common saying. Once a goal is set, it demands work to be done. A child has to learn to work hard and make sacrifices on their way to success.
- Learn new things: When they start moving towards their goals, they start learning new skills. For example, if the child is already playing tennis, but he aspires to be a state champion, then he or she will have to learn new techniques in serving and volleying.
- Develop confidence and self esteem: Working towards a set goal gives the child a sense of satisfaction which helps in boosting self esteem and develops confidence in them.
- Encourages an ambitious nature: In an aggressive world, it is important to be driven and assertive. These qualities help you move to the top and give your better opportunities.
- Sense of accomplishment: Once, the child has reached their goal, they feel accomplished while still retaining, in their minds the hard work and sacrifices that they had to make on the way.
List out your child’s goals and give them an achievable timeframe for the same
Here is how you can help them in setting goals:
- Ask them what they want: A child will never achieve a goal if he isn’t interested in it. You can force your child in to doing something, but the result will not be guaranteed. When they choose what they want to achieve, only then will they put in all their effort in the work.
- Tell them to make a list of all things that they are good at: On a list of paper, tell them to write down all the things they are good at. Any skill or talent that they have will be a base to future work. Help them, if need be to make this list; this will show them that you acknowledge their talents.
- Use the S.M.A.R.T.formula to set goals:
Specific: Goals should be specific. For example, the child will try to win the tennis championship being held in August.
Measureable: Winning the championship will help him or her get in the state tennis team. This will be the measure of their success.
Achievable: You cannot be unrealistic while setting the goal. You know your child, you know their personality and their learning curve, so while setting goals, be practical. Being hasty will not help your child.
Relevant: Why is this goal important for your child? Will it help him in the future? Will it make my child happy?
Time scaled: There should always be a deadline for a goal. An open ended goal will never really be accomplished. By giving your child a time frame, you are motivating them to achieve the result by increasing their efficiency.
Talking to your child is a great way to help them out with their problems
- Help them in any way possible: If your child needs extra help, try, and give it to them. Taking the tennis championship as an example, if your child needs extra coaching, try and get her into a tennis coaching academy. If your child needs extra help to achieve top marks in their class, consider some extra classes to help them.
- Tell them that it’s okay to fail sometimes: This is perhaps one of the most important lessons. Accepting failure is the first step to success. Teach them that one failure is not the end and asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
- Revisit your child’s goal: Repeat with them their goals and be invested them. By repeating and revisiting, you are reinforcing it in their minds.
- Keep a positive attitude: Attitude is everything. Encourage your child. Tell them that you believe in them and teach them not to give up when it gets hard and do not put excessive pressure on them.
Setting goals and having ambitions should not be a one-time thing. Being ambitious should be a habit, one that a child should learn early in life to ensure their success as an adult.
