Goals and Grades John Williams Academic Life Coach Date School

What You’ll Get From this Presentation Understanding of why “Goals” are often counterproductive and don’t work Tips and Tools that do work with teenagers Some coaching and action steps for yourself

A Word about Academic Life Coaching Dedicated to helping students successfully navigate high school and the college application process Founded in 2004 Organization of nearly 50 Academic Life Coaches located internationally from Boston to Dubai As seen in CNN, Huffington Post, MSNBC, Wall Street Journal, and the Associated Press

Our Programs Work. Over the past seven years, students who learned skills like this in our program experienced: 93% Reported feeling more confident 82% Reported less stress 79% Reported improved communication with parents 100% Accepted to 1 or more of their top 3 college choices 0.81 Average GPA boost (of students who were not already earning a 4.0)

Problem #1: The Word ‘Goal’ is Overused Hence, no longer cool.

Problem #2: Too Many Goals Same as not having any goals.

Problem #3: Usually Something Stands in Your Way Out of Your Control Contributes to Stress.

Problem #4: Usually Too Big Obvious Problems Here.

The Solution Think In Terms of the Process and the Outcomes

Outcomes

Four Criteria for a Well-Formed Outcome Stated in the Positive Started and Completely Controlled by you Appropriate size to time ratio Specific and Measurable

Example of Shifting Goals to Effective Outcomes Goal: I want to earn all A’s Effective Outcomes: I want to turn in all my assignments completed and on time this week. I want to talk to all my teachers about my learning and performance once or more a month. I want to study for each test this month two days before the test for an hour or more

Next Friday

Now It’s Your Turn

Your Well-Formed Outcome #1:

System can you put in place:

Quick Review Goals aren’t as effective as Well-Formed Outcomes Focus on the Process Positive Outcomes happen naturally when the proper system is in place

Practical Applications with Your Teenager Downplay goals as not being cool (you’ll get cool points) Create Process Oriented Outcomes Judge success based on sticking to the process Think in terms of short two-week periods, then make adjustments if needed

Thank You!! www.academiclifecoaching.com