Goal setting with pictures fit together like laughter and fun. Both end with feelings of joy and contentment. Yet many grown-ups don’t experience this. They fail to turn their dreams into goals. Don’t let this become your child’s fate. Childhood is the best time to teach your 
child the tools for setting goals.
“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” - Anthony Robbins
The Parenting Tip – How to Picture the Goal:
To make her goal visible, teach your child to mentally picture what she sees as she looks outward from herself. Tell her to do this mental picturing as if she is accomplishing her goal right now. This is different from picturing herself inside her goal. Let’s examine this parenting tip further.
The Parenting Strategy – An Example for Picturing the Goal:
If your Kevin wants to learn how to dive, pretend you are sharing this conversation:
"Kevin, what would you see before you dive off the diving board?"
"I'd see the water." "What if you tucked your head in toward your body?"
"I'd see the water and my feet on the edge of the diving board."
"Picture the water and picture your feet on the edge of the diving board right now."
"OK." "As you push off and your body is heading into the water, what do you see?"
"My eyes are closed. I don't see anything."
"Kevin, before you fall asleep at night, picture the water and your feet on the tip of the diving board. Feel your head tucking in and your feet pushing off the diving board. Once off the board you don't have to see anything. Just experience the great feeling of a good dive. Try picturing it now."
If Kevin is having trouble picturing the dive, keep asking questions to help Kevin picture it clearly.
Goal Setting with Pictures - The Conclusion:
Some kids might give answers different from Kevin’s. Their answers may be just as good. After all, in order for this parenting strategy to work, it must be your child’s picture. Your task is to make sure your child is not picturing himself from a distance, like from the other end of the pool or on the sidelines. Make sure he sees outward from his eyes while making the dive.
Goal setting with pictures can change dreams into reality. Why not teach your child the tools for turning the invisible into the visible? If you do, your child will experience how goal setting and pictures fit together like fun and laughter. You’ll both enjoy the contentment of a job well done and you’ll be building character too.
Resource Box_________________________________________________________________________________________
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(July 2007) (
