The Russell County 4-H program collaborated with Russell Springs Elementary School to present a program on goal setting to approximately 100 fourth grade youth.  Antione de Saint-Exupéry said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”  In most all 4-H programs, youth learn to set goals, work toward them, and then evaluate their success.  Goal-setting helps 4-H members complete projects; the 4-H record book has been the gold standard for many decades to help youth document their success toward reaching a project goal.  When youth set and achieve goals, it builds satisfaction and confidence in their abilities.  When they fall short of reaching a goal, they learn to accept failure without blaming others which develops maturity.

The youth were led in a discussion about the difference in short-term goals and long-term goals. They also learned how to write a SMART goal.  These goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound.  The youth wrote a short-term goal that they could try to accomplish in approximately 60 days.  After two months, the youth were given their goal back and asked if they accomplished it.  Fifty-one percent (51%) of the youth indicated that they had met their goal.  Comments made by the youth on the importance of setting goals and writing them down included the following:

1.  Writing down your goal helps you achieve more because you push yourself to get it done.

2.  If you set goals it’s kind of a challenge for yourself.  You will always have challenges in life.

3.  Goals help us to learn responsibility.