How I Teach My Students to Achieve Their New Year’s Resolutions: The Missing Secret

Byron walked into class after the holiday break, looking frustrated. 'Teacher, did you write your New Year’s resolutions?' he asked, almost as if he didn’t believe in the idea anymore. I smiled, trying to keep the conversation light. 'Yes, of course! What about you?' His shoulders slumped as he said, "I don’t write them anymore. Every time I do, nothing changes. And you know what? I’ve written them three years in a row, and it’s like writing them is a promise not to do them. I don’t even come close.

It felt like his dreams had lost their spark before they even started.

In that moment, I realized something heartbreaking: Byron wasn’t alone. So many students give up on goals because they don’t have the right tools to make them real. The problem isn’t their dreams, it’s the way they’ve been taught to chase them.

When I finally understood the importance of setting meaningful goals, I knew I had to share this with my students. We’ve all been there, making New Year’s resolutions, only to see them fade away within weeks. Why? Often because we lack clarity and haven’t worked through the emotional layers that keep us from sticking to them.

With kids, setting goals is similar to how it works for adults, but the how is where the magic happens. By giving children a solid strategy and the right guidance, we can help them create goals that truly excite them and motivate them to succeed.

How I Teach Goal-Setting in My Classroom

Here’s the process I follow to help students set and achieve their goals:

1. Start with Vision and Fun

The first step is to make goal-setting exciting and fun! I encourage my students to pick goals that bring them joy and align with their interests. For example, if a student loves soccer, instead of a generic goal like "play better," they might choose, "score three goals this season."

Once they’ve identified a goal, we reflect on its impact. I guide them to ask themselves:

• Does this make me happy?

• Is it good for others?

• Does it contribute positively to the community?

I also focus on short-term goals, which are easier for kids to achieve. These goals need to be specific, measurable, realistic, and achievable within a short time. For example, "Learn three new magic tricks by the end of the month."

When children see that their small goals are possible, they’re motivated to aim for bigger ones in the future.

2. Ask Big Questions

To inspire their imagination, I ask reflective questions like:

• What would you like to get really good at this half of the year?

• What makes you feel proud when you do it?

This sparks creativity and encourages them to dream big while staying focused.

3. Make it Visual

We use drawings, magazine cutouts, or simple lists to visualize what they want to achieve. This tangible representation keeps their goals at the forefront of their minds.

4. Break It Down

Big goals can feel overwhelming, so we break them into smaller, bite-sized steps. For instance, if the goal is to "build a LEGO castle," we’d outline steps like:

• Pick the design.

• Gather pieces.

• Build one section each weekend.

This teaches kids that progress comes from manageable steps.

5. Celebrate Progress

As Tony Robbins famously said, “Progress equals happiness.” Small wins are celebrated with high-fives, stickers, or even a self-hug. Sharing achievements with peers or family also reinforces their motivation and builds confidence.

6. Model the Process

I set goals alongside my students and share my journey. Whether I’m learning a new skill or tackling a personal challenge, I talk about the steps I’m taking and the obstacles I face. This shows them that even adults are always learning and growing.

7. Focus on Growth and Gratitude

Not every goal will be fully achieved, and that’s okay. I emphasize the importance of effort and growth over the outcome. For instance, if a student wanted to "learn to ride a bike" but only mastered balancing, we celebrate that as a victory.

Adding a gratitude routine like, "What are you proud of this week?" helps foster a positive mindset and builds resilience.

8. Use Storytelling

Stories are a powerful tool. I share tales of famous individuals or personal role models who achieved their goals. For example, "Did you know Michael Jordan practiced every single day because his goal was to become the best basketball player?" These stories inspire kids to believe in the power of persistence and hard work.

I love starting the year or a new month by creating a list of goals with my students. Watching them experience the joy and satisfaction of achieving what they set out to do is incredibly rewarding.

If you’re ready to introduce goal-setting to your class, I’ve created some resources to help make the process simple and engaging. These tools will guide your students to dream big, plan well, and celebrate their successes. Let’s empower our kids to set goals and see their potential come to life!

- Growth Mindset My New Year’s Resolutions Mini Book

- Snowman Day Craft, My New Years Resolutions Writing Prompts

I'd love to hear your strategies for helping students set and achieve their goals. If you haven't tried any yet, what's been holding you back? What has worked for you in the past?