Did You Know? Goal Setting to Build Healthy Habits January 2026

Did You Know -Goal Setting to Build Healthy Habits January 2026

DID YOU KNOW that incorporating small healthy habits into your day can affect more people than just you? Healthy habits also help create healthy communities and are important for supporting our kids and their families. January is often a time for a reset and people tend to create resolutions to kick of the new year. This can be anything from adding a new healthy habit or trying new things, maybe its eating healthier, or learning a new sport or skill. No matter what it is you are setting a goal for yourself, and goals give us a sense of purpose.

DID YOU KNOW when people feel their goals are important, they report higher life satisfaction?

When kids are able to set and work toward a goal and can see the progress they’re making, it builds confidence and self-esteem. But Did You Know, kids need help learning how to set realistic goals? Setting realistic goals and having the ability to break them down into smaller parts helps to empower kids. Setting daily, weekly or even monthly goals is a great new thing to try in 2026!

DID YOU KNOW goals are also a great way to get to know someone and see what is important to them?

This is a great way to build trust with a kid in your life. Working with a kid to set a goal will help you understand more about what motivates them and why certain things may be important. Teaching kids how to set and accomplish goals is so important! Setting realistic goals is not always easy. Choosing big goals that take longer than their patience and attention allow can cause kids to give up or feel frustrated because there is no way to measure progress.

Did You Know that research shows it is the little goals that are necessary to help us feel happier and more accomplished?  While the big goals are important in helping us define who we want to be and the life we want to live, it is little goals we need to get there. OneA great way to do this is by creating a SMART goal. SMART goals help with organization, focus and breaking down large goals into smaller steps. They can help build confidence as realistic goals are set allowing you to celebrate the small wins that happen along the way of reaching the larger goal.

Smart in SMART goal stands for: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, & Timely

Making sure that goals are well-defined and specific, rather than vague sets kids up for success to see it achieved. As kids pick a goal make sure to ask them why they want to accomplish something. By setting a goal that is measurable, they can track progress and stay motivated to do the work. Setting goals that are so lofty it would be impossible to reach them is not a good idea. Stretching yourself while being realistic is the best strategy to make them attainable. Starting small and build from there! Thinking about what is needed to do to achieve the goal, does it require help from others or additional resources? identify obstacles or requirements that might slow them down or get in the way. Goals need to align with a kids values. Ideally, their goals should help them advance to a new level- personally, academically, or otherwise to be relevant.  Asking kids why they want to accomplish something or why it is important can also help with the process. Lastly, making it timely by defining a deadline up front helps with motivation and can give kids something to look forward to.  Remember if kids feel good about their progress, they are more likely to keep going. Celebrate little milestones along the way and use setbacks as a way to learn and problem-solve other ways to reach a goal.

Let’s all set a goal for ourselves and work with a kid to set a goal this January and encourage and support healthy habits to build a healthy community.