Guiding Young People in Creating and Achieving Goals
Every young person is one-of-a-kind, shaped by a unique combination of genetic information and life experiences. Even among identical twins, significant variations in behavior, preferences, and cognition are frequently seen. As a result, it is unavoidable to conclude that each and every young person has something unique to offer the world. They are the only people in the globe who are precisely like them.
It is our responsibility as parents, educators, and child-care providers to assist these young people in achieving their objectives and, eventually, fulfilling their aspirations. To do so, we must instill in them the importance of goal-setting in completing tough and complicated activities. Here are some pointers to get you started:
Be as precise as possible. The objective of "improve my basketball skills" is a broad one. Instead, make an effort to be as detailed as possible. "Make 25 consecutive free throws three times each day" is a considerably more detailed aim. Specificity aids everyone in determining their position in respect to the goal. At the end of the day, anybody should be able to assess what has been done in regard to the objective in order to evaluate if it has been met.
Begin with a modest project and follow through with your strategy. "Reach for the stars," we often tell our youngsters. While this is typically inspiring and encouraging counsel, if a step-by-step strategy for success is not in place, it may become disheartening. If a young child wants to improve in a specific sport, for example, break it down into its component pieces and practice each one separately. Set acceptable goals in one area and don't move on until the goal is met.
Distribute prizes along the route. The human brain is addicted to instant satisfaction. Make use of this information by praising the young person for taking modest steps in the correct path. People are more driven by incentives than penalties, according to psychological studies. Receiving a little incentive along the road to a greater objective can instill a strong feeling of self-worth and respect in the young person.
Finally, make sure the young person is organically driven to attain his or her objectives. Intrinsic motivation is motivation that originates from inside a person, whereas extrinsic motivation comes from outside sources. The young person, for example, may be attempting to satisfy or impress someone else (a parent or mentor) by accomplishing a certain objective. This isn't always a negative thing, especially if the young person is driven to gain the other person's favor. It is, however, something to be wary of, since it may take the young person down a road that they may later regret.