Setting and Reaching Goals

Helping Young People Set and Reach Goals

Thank you for being here and supporting Bolster Coaching. I am more committed than ever to supporting our young people through this challenging time in our country, world, and in their lives. Investing in youth to build their confidence, self-esteem, relationships, and growth mindset benefits all of us now and in the future. One of the core tenets of my coaching is to help young people identify who they are and who they want to be and then create goals with small achievable steps to get there.

We’ve all felt the pressure to set goals in January, but here’s the truth—the right time to set goals is when your young person is ready. Whether it’s March, June, or a random Tuesday, what matters is helping them create a vision and take action. Lately, I’ve been working with my teen and young adult clients on vision/action boards—a fun, creative way to visualize goals!  It’s amazing to see how skilled they are using Canva! 

Neuroscience backs up having a visual of our goals:

🧠 The brain prioritizes what we see, making goals feel more real.

👀 Repeatedly looking at images (especially before sleep) strengthens focus and motivation (the vision/action board should be in a place where it can be seen daily).

💭 Visualization tricks the brain into feeling like success is already happening.

Vision boards alone won’t make goals happen, but they can inspire action and confidence. Adding clear goals and actions to a vision board can remind youth daily what they are working toward.

How Goal Setting and Achievement Helps Young People

Supporting your teen or young adult in setting and working toward goals can:

• Boost Motivation & Confidence – Achieving goals gives a sense of accomplishment and builds self-esteem.

• Build Resilience – Learning to navigate setbacks strengthens their ability to bounce back.

• Improve Time Management – Breaking goals into steps teaches planning and organization.

• Give a Sense of Purpose – Goals help teens feel in control and focused.

• Enhance Decision-Making – Encourages critical thinking about priorities.

• Promote Independence – Helps teens take ownership of their choices.

• Develop Life Skills – Planning, problem-solving, and adaptability = lifelong success.

• Support Mental Health – Achieving goals can reduce stress and boost self-worth.

How You Can Help Your Young Person Set Goals

Teens and young people thrive when they set their own goals. Here’s how to support them:

• Let It Be Their Goal – Encourage their interests, not your expectations.

• Show Support – Validate their passions, even if they differ from yours.

• Offer Goal-Setting as a Tool – Frame it as helpful, not a requirement.

• Pick the Right Moment – Discuss goals when they’re open to it.

• Empower Them – Remind them of past successes.

• Help Make Goals Clear – Help them set specific, measurable objectives.

• Identify Helpful Habits - Have them choose 2-3 habits that they can develop to help them achieve each goal.

• Emphasize Growth – Focus on the process, not just the outcome.

• Find an Accountability Partner-Checking in on goal progress helps motivate people to do what they said they would do.

  
  

With encouragement and autonomy, teens build confidence and motivation for success.

Please try any of these tips at home, share with friends or colleagues, or book a free consultation if you think coaching could benefit your child.

Thank you so much for joining me in the work to raise and support our young people as they navigate the joys and challenges of this special time!