The Importance of Goal Setting for Kids

Welcome to 2020! Some of you are (or already have) created resolutions and goals for the upcoming year. On the other hand, some of you may not be the New Year resolution type but believe progress and self-growth happen no matter the time of year.

In either case, are you including your kids in creating and setting goals for themselves? If you are, I applaud you, as goal setting is a powerful thing. It can literally alter our brains. This article from INC Magazine by Geoffrey James, explains beautifully the benefits of goal setting, with the scientific research to back up this amazing phenomenon. James says, “if you strongly desire a goal, your brain will perceive obstacles as less significant than they might otherwise appear”.  Our brains are chemically changing based on what we focus on. This is a huge benefit to teaching your child to goal set.  You child is growing, learning, and reprogramming new thoughts and belief systems every day. By goal setting as a family, you all alter your brains toward achieving goals.

During the process of goal setting, have your child design goals that align with their personal values and goals that they can control. Once decided, you and your family can get creative and have fun by writing your goals down in journals, posters, or whatever you find most helpful. The act of writing brings the information to the forefront of the brain, it literally helps us remember it better.  It triggers your brain to pay attention. Teaching our children to goal set now helps them be able to do it on their own as productive adults.

What are your 2020 goals? We would love to hear them! Feel free to share with us on our Facebook page, tag us on Instagram @JustOwnYou or email us directly at [email protected].

We can’t wait to hear what you have planned for 2020!

Grow, Give, Love, Live,

The Daughter