Goals Must be Believable
We have already looked at the fact that belief is important in goal achievement. If you study successful people, you will see that they have an absolute conviction that they cannot fail. Indeed, many of them deny that there is such a thing as failure. If the result they obtain is not what they wanted, they see that as a learning experience. However, many of us need to gradually build up confidence. If the first goal we set ourselves is too ambitious, we have difficulty believing that we can achieve it. So don't try to build Rome in a day, and don't encourage your child to set goals that are too demanding initially.
Happy Goal Setting
Monicka
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Goals and Dreams for Kids - The Importance of a Supportive Family
It's so important for kids to have a family environment that is supportive - especially when it comes to goal setting. Sometimes, those that are supposed to be our nearest and dearest are the ones that shoot our dreams down before they even have a chance to get started.
My friend told me yesterday about just such an example. When he was about 11 he wanted to be a ball boy for his favorite football team. Unfortunately when he told his Dad about the idea he immediately started telling him all the reasons it was a bad idea! Terrible idea - it'll be very boring, and imagine how horrid it will be when it rains!
It's important to try and step back when children confide in us about their dreams and goals. Might it have been possible for my friend's Dad to bite his tongue and at least find out a bit more before shooting the idea down in flames. Thinking back to how he wished his Dad had handled it, my friend said that what he really would have wanted back then as a child would have been:
1. For his Dad to show he cared by asking more about the idea and what it was about it that was getting his son excited
2. Then for his Dad to make some suggestions and ask some questions.
3. Finally, he would have liked some specific help - for his Dad to offer to talk to some friends and find out what would be involved, or some such action.
It really made me think about how carefully we should protect our children's self esteem by listening carefully and being supportive, especially when they surprise us with an idea that we might normally rubbish without even considering!
Happy parenting,
Cassie
My friend told me yesterday about just such an example. When he was about 11 he wanted to be a ball boy for his favorite football team. Unfortunately when he told his Dad about the idea he immediately started telling him all the reasons it was a bad idea! Terrible idea - it'll be very boring, and imagine how horrid it will be when it rains!
It's important to try and step back when children confide in us about their dreams and goals. Might it have been possible for my friend's Dad to bite his tongue and at least find out a bit more before shooting the idea down in flames. Thinking back to how he wished his Dad had handled it, my friend said that what he really would have wanted back then as a child would have been:
1. For his Dad to show he cared by asking more about the idea and what it was about it that was getting his son excited
2. Then for his Dad to make some suggestions and ask some questions.
3. Finally, he would have liked some specific help - for his Dad to offer to talk to some friends and find out what would be involved, or some such action.
It really made me think about how carefully we should protect our children's self esteem by listening carefully and being supportive, especially when they surprise us with an idea that we might normally rubbish without even considering!
Happy parenting,
Cassie
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Your Child's Goals and Dreams
Well here I am - writing my first blog in Canada at Monicka's house! Although exhausted from the trip, I wanted to share something that I thought you would enjoy.
One of the movies on the plane was "The Pursuit of Happyness" and there is a scene in the film where the Dad and his son (both called Chris) are playing basketball and little Chris says "I'm gonna go pro!" .... his Dad kinda laughs at him and puts him down, saying I was never much good at basketball and you probably won't be great either. Little Chris is so disappointed and disillusioned. Then his Dad realises what he is doing and tells his son to always pursue his dreams. "Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't do something, son," he says, "not even me."
It's so important to support our children in all their endevors - even if they seem unrealistic, don't take their dreams away from them!
Happy Parenting,
Cassie
One of the movies on the plane was "The Pursuit of Happyness" and there is a scene in the film where the Dad and his son (both called Chris) are playing basketball and little Chris says "I'm gonna go pro!" .... his Dad kinda laughs at him and puts him down, saying I was never much good at basketball and you probably won't be great either. Little Chris is so disappointed and disillusioned. Then his Dad realises what he is doing and tells his son to always pursue his dreams. "Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't do something, son," he says, "not even me."
It's so important to support our children in all their endevors - even if they seem unrealistic, don't take their dreams away from them!
Happy Parenting,
Cassie
Friday, February 23, 2007
Dream Big
Happy Friday Everyone
I was recently contacted by an old friend from past that I had not spoken to for 17 years (WOW!!!). He is now a full fledged airline pilot working for an airline in the Middle East and he is very happy. Since I was writing my article on "Possibilites" for the newsletter I started thinking about my friend and what he has become. When I met him he was flying a small transport plane, and now look at him. Makes me wonder what kind of an upbringing he had that would make him believe that he could accomplish such an amazing feat. Might make a great interview.
Remember you play a huge role in helping your child to discover his potential, but don't let that scare you. Just offer all the love and encouragement you can and here's the biggy!!! Let them follow their own dreams not what you dream for them.
Have a great weekend
Monicka
I was recently contacted by an old friend from past that I had not spoken to for 17 years (WOW!!!). He is now a full fledged airline pilot working for an airline in the Middle East and he is very happy. Since I was writing my article on "Possibilites" for the newsletter I started thinking about my friend and what he has become. When I met him he was flying a small transport plane, and now look at him. Makes me wonder what kind of an upbringing he had that would make him believe that he could accomplish such an amazing feat. Might make a great interview.
Remember you play a huge role in helping your child to discover his potential, but don't let that scare you. Just offer all the love and encouragement you can and here's the biggy!!! Let them follow their own dreams not what you dream for them.
Have a great weekend
Monicka
Friday, February 09, 2007
Keep it to Yourself
Happy Friday Everyone
I am a little late getting my blog written today, I seem to be having a few problems in the sleep department. Not sure why, but I keep waking up at an ungodly hour and then have a devil of a time falling back to sleep. When I finally nod off again it seems like minutes before the alarm goes off and I have to drag my weary self out of bed. I must have looked a fright this morning because my youngest son asked me with a worried look on his face, "Are you OK?" Now I could have gone on and on about how I haven't slept very well for the last week and woe is me but decided to tell a little fib and say "Mommy is phenomenal!!" He looked at me again and smiled and it got me thinking of how we place our burdens on our children's minds without knowing it. How many times do they hear us with the negative self talk? How many times do hear us berate ourselves when we don't quite measure up to the impossible standards we set for ourselves?
Let's make it a goal this February to really think about the negative messages we are sending our children; either by what we say or even by our body language.We see how our children are affected by the way we are feeling, why do we feel it is OK to place this weight on their little shoulders? Like it isn't stressful enough just being a kid we don't need to compound that stress with our own worries.
Happy Parenting :-)
I am a little late getting my blog written today, I seem to be having a few problems in the sleep department. Not sure why, but I keep waking up at an ungodly hour and then have a devil of a time falling back to sleep. When I finally nod off again it seems like minutes before the alarm goes off and I have to drag my weary self out of bed. I must have looked a fright this morning because my youngest son asked me with a worried look on his face, "Are you OK?" Now I could have gone on and on about how I haven't slept very well for the last week and woe is me but decided to tell a little fib and say "Mommy is phenomenal!!" He looked at me again and smiled and it got me thinking of how we place our burdens on our children's minds without knowing it. How many times do they hear us with the negative self talk? How many times do hear us berate ourselves when we don't quite measure up to the impossible standards we set for ourselves?
Let's make it a goal this February to really think about the negative messages we are sending our children; either by what we say or even by our body language.We see how our children are affected by the way we are feeling, why do we feel it is OK to place this weight on their little shoulders? Like it isn't stressful enough just being a kid we don't need to compound that stress with our own worries.
Happy Parenting :-)
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Daydreaming
In Cassie's blog yesterday she happened to mention daydreaming, which happens to be a subject near and dear to my heart, so thought I would elaborate a little more on this delicious topic.
How many times were we told as kids to stop day dreaming and get on with our school work or chores? Turns out our teachers and parents were doing us a great disservice and literally turning off our creativity. Day dreaming and visualizing are powerful tools and writers use them to bring their characters to life. I can attest to that because daydreaming is a huge part of my creative process. I can see the characters in my mind repeating the words I write for them and sometimes it is so real it is hard to believe that they don't really exist, outside of my mind that is.
So parents let your kids daydream encourage them to let their minds wander you will be amazed at what they can accomplish when they let their thoughts take flight and go to strange and wonderful places. Daydreaming will also help them with accomplishing their goals, so dream on dear children dream on.
Happy goal setting
How many times were we told as kids to stop day dreaming and get on with our school work or chores? Turns out our teachers and parents were doing us a great disservice and literally turning off our creativity. Day dreaming and visualizing are powerful tools and writers use them to bring their characters to life. I can attest to that because daydreaming is a huge part of my creative process. I can see the characters in my mind repeating the words I write for them and sometimes it is so real it is hard to believe that they don't really exist, outside of my mind that is.
So parents let your kids daydream encourage them to let their minds wander you will be amazed at what they can accomplish when they let their thoughts take flight and go to strange and wonderful places. Daydreaming will also help them with accomplishing their goals, so dream on dear children dream on.
Happy goal setting
Monday, January 29, 2007
Keep an Open Mind
Funny how we can truly believe something is a scientific fact and find out many years later that we were wrong all along. I am not sure where I was when it made the news but yesterday my son informed me that Pluto was no longer considered a planet. Makes you wonder what else is going to turn out to be a bunch of worm fodder.
I guess the lesson here is not to believe everything you are told, or maybe the real lesson is to be open to all possibilities. Make it a goal to sit down with your kids and find out what interests them. Whether it is dinosaurs or extra terrestrial beings or why the sky is blue? Children are naturally curious so keep encouraging them to discover more about themselves and the world around them.
Happy Goal setting,
Monicka
I guess the lesson here is not to believe everything you are told, or maybe the real lesson is to be open to all possibilities. Make it a goal to sit down with your kids and find out what interests them. Whether it is dinosaurs or extra terrestrial beings or why the sky is blue? Children are naturally curious so keep encouraging them to discover more about themselves and the world around them.
Happy Goal setting,
Monicka
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