Last January, the kids set some goals.
This January...I asked them how those goals turned out.
Some were met.
Some were forgotten.
We all decided together that the best way to meet a goal was to have a plan.
I printed out blank calendar pages for the boys.
1) They put their goals on the calendar
2) Counted the days they had to achieve their goal
3) Put mini goals in place
4) Wrote down specific things they would do each day / week to get closer to those mini goals.
EX: Alex is working on getting his black belt.
He has to run 2.5 miles by mid - March.
He has a mini goal to run a mile by the end of the week without getting overly tired.
Each day he either runs, works out or does the elliptical machine.
He checks off his progress each day.
By having the visual reminder of the marked off days in front of him, it really helps to keep him focused.
And it gives him a very realistic view of both how much he has done and how much he has left to do.
I know that I often take for granted that the boys will naturally be able to set goals and reach them or have good study skills all on their own. Sometimes it does work out that way. But other times, it is good for me to reassess the skill set I have taught them to see if it is working.
The just getting them to set a goal without a plan didn't work out so great.
Gee.
What a shock.
It never works for me either.
