Setting goals and achieving them

“New year, new me!” We’ve all said this once, or twice, or every single January. We kick off the year feeling motivated and hopeful, but as time goes by, our resolutions can become harder to achieve and eventually, they fade away. We tell ourselves we’ll try again next year, and the cycle continues. So, why is it so hard to reach the goals we set for ourselves?

Success relies on three factors: setting clear, realistic goals; fostering internal motivation; and most importantly, understanding the true purpose of the goal–not just the desired outcome but why it matters in the bigger scheme of things.

In education, goal-setting is important because it helps all of us challenge ourselves–students, staff, and administrators. Measuring progress and celebrating small successes can increase our self-confidence and reinforce our desire to keep striving toward our larger goal. 

I’ve found that the best way for me to stay motivated is to focus on how my goal connects to my larger purpose. When I can see how my actions contribute to something I care about, however boring or unpleasant those tasks may be, I am more likely to do them–and to reach my goal. Apparently, I am not alone because there are lots of books on this subject (check out Simon Sinek’s Start with Why).

As the superintendent, the thing that gets me up in the morning is the idea of KVUSD students being able to pursue fulfilling careers and enjoy their lives. As a result, I spend a lot of time focusing on student achievement.

As I work backwards from my main purpose (Kelseyville kids who grow up to have fulfilling careers and happy lives), I look at the steps that increase the chances of success. Graduating from high school is a key predictor, so I want high graduation rates. Then I ask myself what increases the likelihood of graduating from high school. Research shows that students who learn to read by third grade are significantly more likely to graduate. So, that’s my goal–learning to read by third grade. Do I really care if students learn to read when they are 8 or 9 or 10 years old? Not really. But if data tells us that reading by third grade makes a significant difference, then I am motivated to make it happen.

When we work with children, explaining how their tasks connect to a larger purpose can help them understand why something matters, and celebrating along the way can definitely inspire their engagement. This is why we track mastery of each multiplication table with fun stickers on a chart. It's why kids are so excited to beat their own race times in PE class. Accomplishing these goals step-by-step builds their confidence and motivates them to achieve new heights.

Once we get into the habit of goal-setting, anything is possible. Strategic goals set our kids up for academic success, but building the habit of goal-setting lays a foundation for success in whatever they take on later in life.

Set your goal. Track your progress. Know your “why.” Let’s show our children the power of purpose. There is never a better time to start than right now.