Five Golden Rules of Goal Setting Games

by Jennifer Williams Google

Use games to learn goal setting. Games are a relaxed and low-pressure way to learn to identify a goal and plot the steps necessary to reach the goal. The five golden rules of goal setting games are: start with a small, quick-to-achieve goal; keep the game fun and positive; document the goal and the steps to achieve it; set another goal immediately after achieving the first; and maintain an encouraging team atmosphere.

Establish Achievable Goal suggests a word replacement goal. Choose any less-than-desirable word in your vocabulary and replace it with some other harmless word. The goal is quickly achieved each time you use the alternate word.

Keep it Fun

Another suggestion from is to set a goal that must be achieved several times per day, and using a partner to remind you of your goal every hour. Your partner helps keep the game light and fun while providing backup for your goal-achieving process. This fun approach also helps foster positive feelings toward the whole process.

Document the Goal

Write the goal down for all participants to see, then write each step needed to achieve the goal. This programs all minds for the goal setting process. For example, set a goal of using a partner to help you learn a short poem. Write down the goal of learning the poem. Write down the steps needed to achieve it, such as reciting it five times per day. Write down that your partner must call you every hour for five straight hours, and you must recite the poem while the two of you are on the phone.

Set Another Goal

Keep the goal setting momentum going and set another goal immediately after achieving the first. Create another game with a partner or go it alone. Either way, set another goal, write it down and start on it at least by the next day.

Maintain Encouraging Atmosphere

Maintain an encouraging team atmosphere. This helps participants disregard anyone disparaging the process, the goal or the goal setters.

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