Ishaan was very sad on coming back from the
school. On being asked the reason, he told his mother that he came last in the
practice race for the Sports Day. All his friends made fun of him. His mother
consoled and encouraged him to find out the reason. Ishaan thought over it and
concluded that he had participated in the race without any determination or plans.
His mother told him, “Work hard for the
Sports Day. Your target is first prize.” Ishaan made up his mind and wrote
on a piece of paper “I will win the first prize on the Sports Day.”
He began practicing for it. Every day he noted his time and made it a point to
improve upon it. His mother gave him healthy diet. He pinned the paper on the
front wall and kept looking at it. It firmed up his resolve. On the Sports Day,
he did not have any doubt in his mind. He ran with all his might and was the
first to reach the winning line. All his friends cheered him up. He realized
the importance of setting goals and following it.
Well, this tells the importance of having a goal in
our lives. Life becomes a rudderless boat without goal. They help us set the
path for moving forward and guide the person to chart a proper course for
achieving success.
What is a GOAL?
Goal or aim is the destination where we want to reach.
We cannot even make travel plans; leave aside the practical travelling, unless
the destination is clear in mind. If knowing the destination is so important
even for a single travel plan; one can imagine its importance in the journey of
life.
Goals for kids
The story given in beginning of this article is about
a very simple race but believe me, the times are tough and the future is going
to be even tougher for our kids. They will have to run many races, face multifarious
challenges and pass through a series of examinations. They have to set up goals
in life and develop goal-setting competencies. Sooner they start, better they
would be placed.
These goals cannot be accomplished until these are
split into smaller and still smaller ones. It can be done on the time basis
i.e. yearly to monthly to weekly to daily basis or any other basis as per the
suitability. All it requires is its strict follow up and execution.
Modus operandi
Goal Sheets- The
children need to have goal sheets with mention of various targets in a clear
cut manner. For example-Weekly goal sheet:
|
Date |
Week Day |
Target |
Achievement |
|
6th July |
Monday |
Completion of Home tasks; study as per class schedule; prepare for the |
Done |
|
7th July |
Tuesday |
Completion of Home tasks; study as per class schedule; prepare for the |
Done |
|
8th July |
Wednesday |
Completion of Home tasks; study as per class schedule; prepare for the |
Done |
|
9th July |
Thursday |
Completion of Home tasks; study as per class schedule; prepare for the |
Done |
|
10th July |
Friday |
Completion of Home tasks; study as per class schedule; prepare for the |
Done |
|
11th July |
Saturday |
Completion of Home tasks; study as per class schedule; prepare for the |
Done |
|
12th July |
Sunday |
Revision of the previous week’s work; preparation of the next week’s |
Done |
|
Review for the week + |
|||
Monitoring- Monitoring of the goals achieved or left, is
very important. It would require revision as per the requirement. Sometimes,
the child may fall sick and something may be left out. That needs to be added
to the next week. Sometimes, tests or examinations may require extra
preparation. However, it must be ensured that at no point targets are left
alone i.e. not monitored. From weekly these may be translated on the monthly
and annual basis for effective results.
Goal reminders- Children
associate with visuals easily. Tower blocks can be drawn up for them. Target
tower is drawn completely. Just adjacent to it, accomplishment tower can be
drawn block-by-block as per the target achieved. For example, English tower has
8 blocks as per the number of lessons. Now, in the accomplishment tower, one
block after the other is drawn after finishing each lesson.
Celebrating success-
Children
enjoy celebrations. It can be a small scoop of Ice-cream or a chocolate. Do
celebrate their accomplishing the targets. It would give them the impetus to
continue making and adhering to the targets.
Conclusion
Goal-setting and execution should become a life-long habit
with them. It would equip them professionally and help in their jobs,
profession or business. It is very important to let them develop competency to
set up their tangible goals and follow. Once it is followed regularly, it will
become their second nature and success is bound to follow them at every step of
the life.
#Goals #GoalsForChildren #GoalsForStudents #ImportanceOfGoalsInLife
R. C. Verma
.