The power of goal seting

A fun activity to demonstrate the power of goal setting:

• Ask participants to walk around the room and observe their surroundings for thirty seconds. Tell them you’ll ask questions afterward.

• After thirty seconds, have them sit down and close their eyes.

• Ask questions like:

• How many yellow items did you see?

• How many of you are wearing sneakers?

• What color is my bag?

• Participants will answer, and the responses will vary widely and often be incorrect.

• Have participants open their eyes and discuss why they couldn’t recall the details. There’s too much to focus on.

• Ask: “What if the task was to count the number of yellow items?” The difference is that with a goal, you have focus. Maybe you wouldn’t find all yellow items, but certainly more than now. A goal gives direction and energy.