"Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something deep inside them - a deep desire, a dream, a vision." Muhammed Ali, an American boxer

Goal-setting is a mental sport. Champions see, sense and say their goals. Why not teach your child how to become a champion by rehearsing the vision, the feeling, and the words in one magic moment?

The Goal-Setting Problem:

Let's say your Emma loves to practice her flute. At home her gentle music sends peace throughout the house. Her teacher wants her to play a solo at the school concert. Emma's a nervous wreck just thinking about it. What can you do to calm her down? How can you help Emma build a winning attitude?

First Parenting Tip for Teaching Goal-Setting - See it Clearly:

Ask Emma to see clearly what her eyes will see when playing her flute at the concert. Perhaps she'll say, "the crowd of adults and kids." That picture could increase her nervousness. You might suggest she see her music stand with a sheet of music. If she likes your suggestion, tell her to take a moment and see it clearly.

Second Parenting Tip for Teaching Goal-Setting - Sense it Actively:

Ask Emma to create the feeling she would like to have when looking at her music. If she says, "I don't want to be nervous," ask her for the opposite of nervous. If she answers, "not scared," keep asking. You want her to create a positive feeling word. Let's pretend she says, "Confident." Tell her to take a moment or two and experience a confident feeling while mentally picturing the music stand with her music.

Third Parenting Tip for Teaching Goal-Setting - Say "I am":

Tell Emma to make up a goal sentence beginning with the words, "I am." By beginning the sentence with "I am," Emma is telling her brain that she is playing confidently at the concert right now. Next ask her to complete the sentence. For instance, she might say, "I am playing my flute with confidence."

Goal-Setting - Putting it Altogether:

Now it's time to put the picture, the feeling, and the words together in a single moment. This could take several tries to accomplish. Here's how:

Tell Emma to imagine seeing the music stand with her music. Then ask her to see them with a confident feeling. When she's done, tell her to see the music stand and music with that same confident feeling while saying, "I am playing my flute with confidence."

Goal-Setting Summary:

When Emma can see, sense, and say her goal altogether in one moment, tell her to practice it every night before she falls asleep and before she rises each morning. This rehearsal is the mental sport that prepares her for becoming a champion.

Why not unleash the champion within your child's character? All it takes is practicing a clear vision with a confident feeling and positive words.