How To Set Goals For 2020 | SMART Goal Setting

January 29, 2020

Helping your child set SMART goals for 2020!

A notebook with the word goals written on it next to a light bulb and crumpled paper.
When it comes to helping your kids live happy, fulfilled lives, goal setting is an important tool that should never be overlooked. Your child should learn how to set goals because it can lead to several benefits. For starters, it becomes a habit for life. This empowers them to strive for more and figure out what they want out of life. They also develop a healthy, positive attitude when they realise that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. Most importantly, they discover that they are responsible for their own learning and behaviour. So, if they want to achieve something, it’s ultimately up to them to make it happen. 

If you’re ready to guide your child in setting goals for 2020, why not do it the SMART way? This is a method that yields wonderful results and works well for people of all ages. It will also help your child break down their goals in a logical way. Let’s get SMART and get goal setting. 

S is for Specific
The truth is, you’ll never reach those goals if you aren’t specific about them. Get your child to write down exactly what they want to achieve. The key here is to be as detailed as possible. For example, instead of “I want to be in the school play” they should go one step further, “I want to play a lead part in the school play”. 

M is for Measurable 
When a goal is measurable, you’ll know if you’re getting closer to reaching it and when you’ve crossed the finish line. To make a goal measurable, you can help your child break this down into elements that will help them track their progress. For example, getting better Mathematics results should be tracked with every test so that your child can see their improvement in their marks. 

A is for Attainable 
This is one of the toughest parts of helping your child set their goals for a new year – making it attainable. If your child wants to get an A for Science but is currently sitting on a D, guide them towards a smaller improvement like moving up to a C or B in Science so that they aren’t discouraged. 

R is for Relevant 
Your child’s goals need to be relevant to them and something that they actually want. Often, kids try to please their parents, teachers or peers instead of making themselves proud. Your child is twice as likely to achieve the goals they set for themselves if they really want it for themselves. 

T is for Timely
Another key part of reaching those goals is using a time frame. Deadlines can really motivate so try to break the goals up into terms to inspire your child to action. Be realistic though so as to not apply too much pressure. Should your child need a little extra time, tell them it’s okay. 

At Abbotts College, our non-traditional approach to learning helps our students achieve their goals and exceed their own expectations. For more on us and our schools, please click here.  

To apply for your child to join us, please visit the following link: 


If you have a general enquiry, please address it to us here:


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