Goal Setting: Making Dreams Come True

Editor's Note: While this article is focused on helping children make their dreams come true through goal setting, its information and suggested practices apply to adults (and their inner child) just as well.

Teach your child to turn dreams into reality
with the practical magic of goal setting.

Goal setting is the process of making a dream come true step-by-step. The desire to meet a challenge and succeed has been a part of many cultures throughout history. The ancient Peruvians used to draw out their goals in symbols and paint them in primitive colors on the walls of caves. The Egyptians used to create elaborate rituals to move from the state of desire to actualization. They believed that writing out a dream in advance would assure a positive outcome.

Here are a few simple steps to follow to help your child set goals successfully.

Seven Principles for Setting Goals

1. Listen First:

Encourage your child to become quiet and listen to the wisdom within before setting a goal. Many goals are born out of competition or excessive striving, rather than from one's own integrity. A healthy and solid goal follows listening to one's inner wisdom, rather than the reverse. Go over these vital questions before setting goals:


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Is this goal something I really want?

Does this goal serve me in my life right now?

What will I need to bring this dream into reality?

Once these questions have been answered to your child's satisfaction, you can begin to create a game plan.

2. Create Smart Goals:

Getting clear and specific about goals will help your child to create a personal map to success. The more realistic the goal, the more likely it is to take place, as long as the goal is something that your child truly wants, rather than something force-fed by a well-intentioned adult.

Consider these five key questions when helping your child to set "smart" goals:

Sensible

 Does it make sense to do this?

Measurable

 How will I measure when I  have arrived?

Attainable

 Can I actually attain this now?

Realistic

 Is it possible and realistic at this time?

Time line

 How much time will it take me?

3. See It and Believe It:

Once the goal has been set, encourage your child to begin to see it as though it had already occurred. Drawing out goals in pictures, writing them down in vivid detail, or describing the desired end result on tape are great ways to keep the energy flowing in a positive direction. Once your child has set the goals, this will be the most important step to focus on each day.

4. Set Monthly Goals:

Setting one or two monthly goals is a good way to practice the principles and see results quickly. A family of four selects one main goal per month each, along with a chart for marking down their progress on the refrigerator. Each person places a star on a winning day. They don't believe in failure, and they claim that they only have two kinds of days -- "I did it" days and "Give it all you've got tomorrow" days. At the end of the month, they have an Excellence Dinner to celebrate their successes. (Usually all four of them succeed, since they enjoy keeping one another motivated.)

5. Set Yearly Goals:

Make yearly goal setting a family affair. Consider creating goals for the year in the following categories:

  1. Business or school

  2. Money

  3. Learning

  4. Physical health

  5. Family and friends

  6. Vacation

  7. Spirituality

Break these down into bite-sized pieces by creating goals for the month, and read over the yearly goals at least once a week.

6. Reward Your Progress:

Rewards can provide a fun lift along the way. Create small weekly or monthly rewards to stay motivated, since every step along the way is a step toward success and worthy of acknowledgment! Give one another hugs, pats on the back, cheers, and encouragement. If someone slips, support that person in getting back on track.

7. Be Willing to Let It All Go:

Sometimes something unexpected appears, and signs indicate that a change is needed. Being willing to drop a goal in favor of something more timely is a mark of courage and wisdom. Encourage your child to remain open to changes, and practice the art of detachment.

There is a Zen saying that offers wise counsel during times of unexpected change: "Face change by resisting the current and perish. Move with change, resilient to the flow, and flourish."

Reprinted by permission of H J Kramer,
P.O. Box 1082, Tiburon, CA.
©1994. All rights reserved.

Article Source:

book cover: Full Esteem Ahead: 100 Ways to Build Self-Esteem in Children and Adults by Diane Loomans & Julia Loomans.Full Esteem Ahead: 100 Ways to Build Self-Esteem in Children and Adults
by Diane Loomans & Julia Loomans.

A collection of ideas and techniques designed to make family life enjoyable and help children develop a strong sense of self-worth.

Includes such topics as setting family goals, creative conflict resolution, and ways to have fun together. 

For More Info and to Order This Book.

More books by Diane Loomans.

About The Authors

photo of Diane LoomansDiana Loomans is an author, poet, speaker and professional coach. She has been a pioneer in the personal development field for over three decades, and has earned a reputation as a teacher with a rare blend of heart and soul. As a professional speaker and trainer, Diana has delivered over 1200 programs, and addresses business groups, educators and the public at large on a variety of topics. She’s appeared on numerous radio and television shows, and has been a spokesperson for women’s charities and children's causes. Visit her website at DianaLoomans.com

Julia Loomans, Diane's daughter and now Julia Godoy, wrote the excerpts for this book at fifteen and sixteen. She was twice selected to attend the Young Authors Conference and has won awards for her writing. She participates with her mother in presentations on self-esteem and is the co-author of Positively Mother Goose.