University of Florida

Recognition for Excellence Handbook - Progress Toward Goals

 

Goals LogoProgress Toward Goals Overview

It is important to help youth learn to set goals, and work toward their goals. The second type of recognition is recognizing young people for the progress they are making toward meeting their goals. Youth should feel good about the progress they make and be encouraged to continue working toward their goals.

Goal setting is an individual and personal matter. However, many youth are not experienced in setting their own goals and may need help. Goals should be S.M.A.R.T: Specific,  Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. Remember, these are the young person’s goals, not the goals of volunteers or parents, nor the goals the program expects them to have.

Goals are motivators only when the person setting the goal owns that goal. When a goal is truly owned by a youth, it will be important to the 4-Her.When we review a youth’s progress toward a goal, we should do four things. Simply telling 4-Hers they have done a good job is not enough. Together we need to:

• review the goals with each child
• identify what they have accomplished so far
• help them determine their next steps
• help them feel good about their accomplishments


We should recognize progress toward goals no matter how large or small the accomplishment. Age, ability, background and previous experiences are factors that affect what 4-Hers plan and complete. Younger members will need to be challenged to think about “what they want to do.” Older, more experienced youth should be able to set and reach goals that are more challenging than the goals of younger or less experienced youth. Recognizing progress toward goals emphasizes individual growth and learning-by-doing.

Feeling good about having accomplished something that one has set out to do is a strong intrinsic motivator. Extrinsic awards however, are a tangible way to recognize reaching a goal. Some examples of extrinsic awards include positive comments, chevrons, 4-H memorabilia, certificates, and stickers. Extrinsic awards can be given in private or in front of other youth or parents. Be sure to be sensitive about how the youth feels about being publicly recognized; some young people prefer recognition to be given privately. Therefore, intrinsic recognition may be sufficient for 4-Hers who make progress toward their goals. Also, the downside of public recognition is that youth may begin comparing themselves and their accomplishments to others’ – rather than to the standard of reaching self-set goals.

 

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