Helping Your Learners Set Goals

Being goal-oriented is a critical part of how people become self-directed as they grow from children to adults. Here are some tips on helping your learners set goals.

WHY?

1. People who set goals are more successful in life.

2. Goal setting is linked to greater achievement, self-confidence, motivation, and autonomy.

3. Setting goals is the first step in developing self-determination skills.

Goal-setting theory assumes that people are most motivated when they set their own goals, rather than goals imposed by others. Difficult, yet attainable, goals help people direct their attention, be persistent, make choices, solve problems, and advocate on their own behalf.

HOW?

Being goal-oriented is a critical part of how children learn to be resourceful and independent. This is particularly important for children with disabilities who may be at risk for “learned helplessness” when the adults around them want to provide supports to “help” them in school.

From young children or young adults, the first steps are

1. Self-assessment and

2. Selecting and defining a goal.

In future Tip Sheets, we will share how to:

1. Analyze barriers, potential solutions, and supports;

2. Make a commitment to action steps;

3. Monitor progress, and

4. Reflect in order to refine or replace the goal.

RESOURCES

1. Youth on the Move

2. A goal-tracker calendar from Understood

3. National Gateway to Self-Determination

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream” – C. S. Lewis

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This post was originally written by MCIE Staff.