Ten Goal-Setting Activities to Empower Clients to Achieve Their Goals

Goal setting is a powerful tool that helps individuals focus, stay motivated, and achieve their desired outcomes. For professionals such as coaches, therapists, or consultants, guiding clients through effective goal-setting activities is essential to their work. This blog post explores goal-setting strategies and activities, focusing on SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals to empower clients and help them succeed.

Why Goal Setting Matters

Before diving into activities, it’s essential to understand why goal setting is critical. The main reason is that coaching doesn’t work without a goal in mind, a direction, and something to aim for. However, not all goals are created equal. Clear goals:

1. Provide direction – Goals clarify what clients want to achieve.

2. Boost motivation – Having something specific to work toward keeps clients engaged (because they will know when they’ve achieved it).

3. Improve focus – Goals eliminate distractions and channel attention and energy effectively.

4. Facilitate measurement – Progress can be tracked, making it easier to celebrate wins and recalibrate when needed.

SMART goals are particularly effective because they break down objectives into actionable steps that are easy to understand and pursue.

SMART Goals: A Quick Refresher

A SMART goal is:

• Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.

• Measurable: Quantify progress to stay on track.

• Achievable: Set realistic (yet still challenging) goals considering resources and limitations.

• Relevant: Ensure the goal aligns with broader objectives.

• Time-bound: Include a deadline to create urgency and focus and to build momentum.

Let’s explore how to guide clients through goal-setting activities based on this framework.

1. Start with a Vision

Activity: Vision Board Creation

A vision board is a visual representation of aspirations and goals. It can include images, words, or phrases that inspire and motivate the client. Creating a vision board allows clients to visualize their dreams and desires, making them seem more achievable.

To create a vision board with your clients, you can provide magazines, newspapers, art supplies, and other materials for them to create their own boards. Online boards, like Pinterest or Canva, are also great alternatives. Encourage them to be specific and intentional when choosing items for their boards. Once completed, have them display their vision boards in a prominent place where they can see it every day as a reminder of their goals. Encourage clients to think big and visualize their ideal life. Ask them to focus on questions such as:

• Where do you want to be in the next five years?

• What does success look like for you?

• Write out your ideal day: 

• What elements can you have in your life right now? 

• What can you work towards?

How to do it:

1. Provide magazines, markers, and poster boards for an in-person session, or use digital tools like Canva for virtual settings.

2. Ask clients to select images, quotes, and words that resonate with their aspirations.

3. Encourage them to share their vision boards and tell you more about their choices and themes.

Purpose: This activity clarifies long-term goals, helping clients identify what truly matters before breaking it down into SMART goals.

2. Break It Down: From Big Picture to Action Steps

Activity: The Goal Pyramid

The Goal Pyramid is a tool to connect a client’s long-term vision to actionable daily tasks.

How to do it:

1. Draw a pyramid with three layers: the top for the ultimate goal, the middle for medium-term objectives, and the base for short-term actions.

2. Collaborate with the client to fill in each layer.

3. Ensure the base-level tasks are clear, manageable, and directly aligned with the larger objectives.

Example:

• Top Goal: Run a marathon.

• Medium Goals: Build endurance, maintain consistent training, and improve diet.

• Daily Actions: Jog 3 miles, hydrate, and track meals.

Purpose: This activity helps clients see how small actions contribute to significant outcomes.

3. Set SMART Goals

Activity: SMART Goal Worksheet

SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) is a goal-setting framework that helps individuals create clear and realistic goals. This method is great for setting goals that are specific, have a measurable outcome, are achievable, align with the client's values and priorities, and have a timeline for completion.

As a coach, you can support your clients in setting SMART goals by helping them clarify their desired outcomes and breaking them down into smaller, actionable steps. This approach can increase motivation and accountability as clients see tangible progress towards their objectives. Regularly checking in on their progress also allows for adjustments to be made if necessary.

Download your SMART Goals Worksheet here

How to do it:
Ask clients to complete the following sections:

• Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve?

• Measurable: How will you track progress?

• Achievable: What resources or skills will you need?

• Relevant: Why does this goal matter to you?

• Time-bound: When will you achieve this?

Example:

• Specific: Lose 10 pounds.

• Measurable: Track weight weekly.

• Achievable: Exercise 3 times a week and follow a meal plan.

• Relevant: Improve health and confidence.

• Time-bound: Achieve in 3 months.

Purpose: The worksheet helps clients create actionable goals aligned with their desires and realities.

4. Reflect and Reframe

Activity: Overcoming barriers

Clients often face obstacles that hinder progress. Anticipating these challenges and planning solutions is crucial.

How to do it:

1. Ask clients to list potential obstacles to their goals.

2. Brainstorm solutions together.

3. Encourage clients to reframe challenges positively.

Example:

• Obstacle: Lack of time to exercise.

• Solution: Schedule workouts early in the morning or during lunch breaks.

• Reframe: “I have 30 minutes a day to invest in my health.”

Purpose: This activity builds resilience and fosters a proactive mindset.

5. Celebrate Wins

Activity: Milestone rewards

Celebrating milestones is an important aspect of goal-setting that often gets overlooked. It’s essential to acknowledge and celebrate the progress made toward achieving a goal. This can boost self-confidence and motivation, providing clients the drive to continue working towards their goals.

As a coach, you can encourage your clients to celebrate their milestones by acknowledging their efforts and progress. This can be done through simple gestures like congratulating them or having a special moment dedicated to recognizing their achievements. Celebrating milestones can also serve as a reminder of the client's growth and success, providing them with additional motivation to keep moving forward. Acknowledging progress keeps clients motivated and reinforces positive behavior.

How to do it:

1. Help clients identify milestones within their larger goals.

2. Assign rewards for achieving each milestone.

3. Make sure rewards align with the client’s overall goal, personality, or desires.

Example:

• Milestone: Completing a 5K run during marathon training.

• Reward: Buy new running gear.

Purpose: Celebrating small wins maintains momentum and confidence.

6. Monitor Progress

Activity: Goal-tracking journal

Journaling is an effective way to track progress, reflect on achievements, and identify areas for improvement.

How to do it:

1. Provide clients with a journal template that includes sections for daily or weekly reflections like Clever Fox Planner, Goal Planning Notepad, or The five minute journal.

2. Encourage them to record:

• Actions taken toward goals.

• Successes and challenges.

• Adjustments needed.

Purpose: Tracking keeps clients accountable and allows for real-time adjustments.

7. Reflect and Revise

Activity: Goal audit

Sometimes, goals need adjustment. Periodically revisiting them will help them remain relevant and achievable.

How to do it:

1. Schedule regular check-ins (e.g., monthly or quarterly).

2. Review progress and discuss what’s working or not.

3. Update goals based on new insights or circumstances.

Purpose: A goal audit will allow clients to stay adaptable and focused on what truly matters.

8. Build Accountability

Activity: Accountability partnership

One of the key roles of a coach is holding clients accountable for their actions. By regularly checking in on their progress and asking about any challenges they may be facing, coaches can help clients stay committed to their goals. Accountability partnerships add an extra layer of motivation.

How to do it:

1. Pair clients with a friend, family member, or coach.

2. Set up regular check-ins (e.g., weekly calls or meetings).

3. Share progress and provide mutual encouragement.

Purpose: Accountability increases commitment and support, making clients more likely to follow through.

9. Foster a Sense of Purpose

Activity: The "why" exercise

Understanding the deeper motivation behind a goal increases commitment and confirms the goal aligns with the client’s values.

How to do it:

• Ask clients to write down their goals and then repeatedly ask "Why is this important to you?" for each answer they provide.

• Continue until they uncover their core motivation.

• Encourage them to reflect on this purpose whenever they feel discouraged.

Example:

• Goal: Lose 10 pounds.

• Why? To feel healthier.

• Why? To have more energy for my family.

• Why? To be present and active in my children’s lives.

• Why? To feel alive and know I am living my life fully.

Purpose: This activity connects goals to intrinsic values, providing powerful motivation.

10. Use Technology for Support

Activity: Digital tools and apps

Technology offers numerous resources for tracking progress, staying organized, and maintaining motivation. Coaches can use digital tools and platforms to improve and facilitate communication, track progress, and support ongoing learning for their clients. Video conferencing software allows flexible scheduling and remote sessions, breaking down geographical barriers and providing convenience for coaches and clients. In addition, apps and online tools designed for goal setting, habit tracking, and mindfulness can be integrated into the coaching process to support clients' journeys toward their objectives.

How to do it:

• Research apps or tools that align with the client’s goals (e.g., fitness trackers, habit trackers, productivity apps).

• Help the client choose one or two tools to integrate into their routine.

• Schedule regular check-ins to review how the tools are supporting their progress.

Example:

• Goal: Save money.

• Digital Tool: Use a budgeting app like Mint or YNAB to track expenses and set savings goals.

Purpose: Technology helps create accountability and simplifies goal management.

Conclusion

Goal setting is more than creating a checklist - it’s about aligning actions with values and stimulating growth. By using these activities, you empower your clients to set SMART goals and take actionable steps toward their achievement. 

Remember, the journey to achieving goals is as important as the destination. Celebrate progress, embrace challenges, and continually adapt strategies to help your clients achieve true and purposeful success.