Explain goals clearly and show that seemingly impossible goals can be achieved through simple plans illustrated with pictures. Involve adolescents in fun tasks they enjoy to gain commitment to small, meaningful goals and show them the value of goal-setting. Make adolescents feel important for accomplishing their own goals rather than just following orders.

9. Explain a goal clearly
Show what they need to do
Show that the seemingly
impossible is indeed possible
Explain why the activity is
important
Explain why it's important to
them to carry it out

10. Keep the plan for achieving the
goal very simple.
An adolescent is NOT going to
refer to a document specifying
the tasks that need to be
done, much less carry the plan
around in his or her head!
Instead, use pictures or charts.
Paste these pictures on the
refrigerator door or in their
bedroom, which indirectly
illustrates the tasks that they
need to do.

11. Don't make up goals that
carry little meaning, or
give no benefit once
attained.
Help the adolescent
understand the true value
of setting a goal and
striving towards it.
Impress upon the
youngster the importance
of having meaningful goals
in their life.

12. Let them experience some fun
during the goal setting process.
Look for tasks that they enjoy
doing. Then give them the
responsibility to complete that
particular task. This is a great way
to start. The point is to show them
how to stay committed to a small
goal, while still having fun with it.
For example, if the adolescent
enjoys using the computer, use the
computer to illustrate the goal
setting process with interesting
pictures and videos.

13. Adolescents will often take
responsibility to accomplishing a goal
if it makes them feel important.
Research in the field of management
has found that making the people feel
important can be a powerful tool in
getting them to do something. The
strategy works well for adolescents as
well.
Upon achieving a goal, the adolescent
should feel he or she has really
accomplished something
worthwhile, and not just done
something Mom or Dad told them to
do.

14. Hold a child accountable
when working towards
specific goals, like
learning good study
habits.
Don't reward them every
time they do something
right, you're not training
a horse!