Children and Goals

As we prepare to step into 2014, I am diligently writing my goals for the coming year. This has been a faithful practice of mine for many years and it is something that John and I instilled into our children at a young age. We talked about our goals with them, we were excited about writing our goals in front of them and we celebrated the accomplishment of our goals with them. Not only did we exemplify goal setting, we practiced goal setting together as a family so that the habit took root and we were able to experience the power of successful goal setting together.

I encourage you to begin introducing goal setting to your children as a family practice – no matter what the age. Choose a few simple goals that you can discuss and create together. Perhaps you could choose a trip you want to go on together, maybe you would like to commit to something as a family once a week, or it could be as simple as how many movies you will see together in the coming year. Write them down. Time activate them. Then, celebrate together when you see those goals accomplished! As you introduce this for the first time, make it fun! Especially for younger children. The gift you give to your kids by teaching them how to write and set goals will be something they carry with them for their entire lives – and will make a powerful difference for them both personally and professionally.

Enjoy the process. Enjoy the journey!