‘90s FAMILY : Goal-Setting Tips

“Goal-setting can strengthen your family and make life fun,” says West Los Angeles psychologist David Bresler. To incorporate goal-setting into your family life, he suggests the following:

* Start modestly. Set goals that are small enough to manage, but big enough to matter. Make goals realistic and attainable so that you’ll succeed the first time. Then gradually take on more challenging goals.

* Keep it simple. Although there are many programs and courses on goal-setting and lots of forms to fill out, it’s best to keep things as simple as possible.

* Write it down. Listing goals makes them real and will remind you of what is important. Display the list so everyone can see it.

* Concentrate on the journey. What’s really important is not your destination or goal, but the experience. Although achieving goals is satisfying, don’t forget to enjoy yourself along the way.

* Involve the whole family. Ask what each member would like to accomplish together. Kids are much more interested when they’re allowed to set goals and pick rewards.

* Re-prioritize when necessary. Analyze any goals that have remained on your list for a long time and determine if you need to remove or postpone them.

* Plan throughout the year. Although January is a natural time to make plans, don’t forget to check your goals regularly and revise them all year long.