Successful Kids Have This One Habit

ast week I saw my son writing his goal for the month, it had things like

• exploring Roblox
• Learning multiplication tables from 5 to 10
• Write 1 paragraph in Hindi every day 

 I was surprised but happy to see him taking initiative in setting goals for himself. I did a little research to understand how writing and having goals could help kids. 

A study by Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at the Dominican University of California, demonstrated that writing your goals down enhances goal achievement.

When children have goals, they learn to focus on what is important and ignore distractions. This helps them become more efficient and productive individuals.

Children with goals also learn to persevere through difficult tasks and challenges. They understand that there will be obstacles along the way, but they also know that if they keep working hard, they will eventually reach their goals.

Setting goals also teaches children how to manage their time effectively. They learn to plan and organize their tasks in a way that allows them to accomplish their goals within a certain timeframe.

Children who have goals are also more likely to be successful academically as they can reflect on where they need to put effort.

Finally, children who have goals are more likely to be happy and fulfilled in life. They feel a sense of purpose and meaning, which can lead to a more positive outlook on life.

So, the next time you see your child setting a goal, encourage and support them! Help them to understand the importance of goal-setting and how it can benefit them in the future.

Let the child choose her/his goal- it could be anything from early reading to taking care of a pet. Once the goal is decided, help the child make a plan to achieve it. This could involve setting aside time each day to work on the goal, or breaking the goal down into smaller, more manageable tasks.

The goals should be specific, measurable, and trackable - for example, “I will read for 20 minutes every day” or “I will walk the dog for 30 minutes three times a week.”

If they are struggling to pick goals you can ask questions like these to help them:

· What would you like to achieve in the next month/year?

· What are some things you’re interested in learning more about?

· What skills would you like to improve?

· Are there any new activities you’d like to try?

Discuss the purpose behind their goals- children need to understand why they are setting goals in the first place. Explain that goal-setting can help them improve their skills, try new things and achieve their dreams.

If they have chosen to read 30 books a year, it is important to know the "why" behind such a goal. Do they want to improve their reading comprehension? Broaden their vocabulary? Spend more time with family members who love to read? Once the child understands the purpose behind the goal, it will be easier for her/him to stick to it.

Kids like to copy others without understanding the consequences, If a child sees their friend or sibling setting goals and achieving them, they’re likely to want to do the same. Explain that it’s okay to copy someone else’s goal, but it’s important to make sure that the goal is something that they want to achieve themselves.

That's why knowing the purpose behind the goal they choose is important.

Children should also be encouraged to set goals that are realistic and achievable. If a goal is too difficult or unrealistic, the child will likely become discouraged and give up. So, help them to choose goals that are challenging but still within their reach.

For example, if they want to read 30 books a year, they need t to understand that they will need to read 2.5 books a month, or one book every two weeks. They need to know their reading speed and that reading should be for enjoyment and not a chore.

Help them visualize the obstacles-  A goal without an obstacle is not a goal, it's a dream. What will get in the way of the child achieving their goal? It could be a lack of time, money, resources, or ability. Help them to identify these obstacles and come up with a plan to overcome them.

For example, if they want to read 30 books in a year but they struggle to find time to read, you could suggest that they set aside 30 minutes each day to read. If they can’t afford to buy new books, you could suggest that they borrow books from the library or ask for book vouchers as gifts.

According to Psychologist Gabriele Oettingen just having a fancy goal is not enough, she suggests a method called WOOP to visualize the goal you have set.

Wish- Your child's wish/goal. Eg. I want to read 30 books this year

Outcome- What do you hope to achieve with this goal? Eg. I want to improve my reading comprehension

Obstacle- What is stopping you from achieving your goal? Eg. I don't have enough time to read

Plan- How are you going to overcome the obstacle and achieve your goal?

Eg. I will read for 20 minutes every day

This acronym is a great way to help kids (and adults!) focus on their goals and come up with a plan to achieve them.

Encourage them to persevere- remind your child that goals won’t always be easy to achieve, but with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. Explain that even if they don’t achieve their goal the first time, they can try again. Help them to see failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Children get demotivated easily so tell them it's fine if they could not complete their reading goal for the day but tomorrow is another day.

I always give example by showing how butterflies wait for the right moment to emerge from their cocoon. They take time but after some days they come out as beautiful butterflies. So in the same way, our goals also take some time but if we wait patiently, we will achieve them.

Be involved in the process- As a parent, you can play an important role in helping your child to achieve their goals. Show interest in their goals and ask them how they’re progressing.

If they’re struggling to stick to their plan, offer encouragement and support. Help them to find ways to stay motivated and on track.

Encourage them to celebrate their progress- children need to celebrate their progress along the way. When they reach a milestone, such as reading 10 books in a month, give them a small reward or praise for their achievement. This will help to keep them motivated and focused on their goal.

When your child fails to keep up with the goal-  remind your child that it’s okay to make mistakes and that everyone experiences setbacks from time to time. Help them to see failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. Encourage them to try again and persevere in the face of adversity.

I tell my son it's fine, I miss my goals but then I try again the next day. This gives him the motivation to try again too.

When children have goals, it gives them a sense of purpose and something to strive for. It can also help to improve their self-confidence and self-esteem. So, encourage your child to set goals and help them to achieve their dreams.

‍