Goal Setting For Teens
As parents, teachers, and mentors, one of our primary responsibilities is to guide teenagers towards becoming successful and well-rounded individuals.
A crucial skill in this journey is goal setting, which not only fosters personal growth but also equips teens with valuable life skills and a sense of purpose.
With the teens we work with, it is common for them to either have huge goals but not know how to achieve them OR have absolutely no goal at all.
Sit down and have open conversations about what they want to achieve and why to get their brains firing!
Additionally, depending on the age, background, passion and desires of the individual, goals could be anything from getting a part-time job to starting a side-hustle business, from getting a good report card to applying for an apprenticeship or from learning how to surf to join a community/hobby group.
Encouraging different goals for different areas of life is going to set them up for success, improve motivation and once they see results, increase their drive.
Here we explore all things goal setting - why bother setting a goal, how to set a goal and what you can do to help.
Signs a Teenager Might Need Goal Setting
Feeling lost, out of place or ungrounded
Engaging in unresourceful behaviour (drugs, alcohol, criminal activity, wagging school, hanging with the wrong crowd, bullying)
Developing inconsistent attitudes, behaviours or emotions.
Lacking motivation and drive
Overwhelmed at options
Closing themselves off to people, conversations, events or situations
Depression or anxiety symptoms popping up
Benefits of Goal Setting for Teenagers
Empowers and gives a sense of independence
Gives drive and motivation
Encourages forward momentum
Provides a destination
Increases self-confidence
Builds resilience through challenges
Starts creating good habits and discipline
Where to Start
Make a list of the goals that are wanting to be achieved - financial, education/career, relationships, contribution to community, self-care etc.
Have a why behind each goal and a reason for wanting to achieve it that aligns with values and passions
Set a SMART goal (Specific | Measurable | Achievable | Realistic | Timely) - a wishy washy goal is not going to last long
Breakdown the big goal into small steps - there is nothing worse than having a huge goal but feeling too overwhelmed to know where to start
Have a plan - know the steps and actions needed toward achieving the goal
Ensure there is accountability and support available - whether a checklist on the fridge to tick daily or an accountability buddy to check in with
List a few potential challenges and setbacks that might occur and how these could be addressed
Tips to help Teenagers
Practice what you preach - model what goal setting is and looks like
Be a support network
Allow them to ‘fail’
Guide them - don’t control or nag them
Celebrate with them
Tips as a Teenager
Ensure it is YOUR goal, not what you think you should be achieving from society or parental expectations
Work hard toward achieving your goal
Remember your ‘why’
Practice self-compassion when you slip up
If the goal doesn’t feel good - change it as much as you need
Remember to take ownership of your results - you are in control, don’t try and blame external factors when things don’t go well
Make sure you reward yourself and celebrate all milestones and achievements
We love seeing goals set and come to fruition!
Let us know how you go with these steps and keep us posted on your results!