The last week of the year is typically the week people start to really evaluate what they did last year and then, based on this information, set some goals for the next year. But many of us forget to include our children in this amazingly powerful process.

If you have a child or two of practically any age, you can include them in your own goal setting processes and help them set a few of their own. And if you’ve never set goals before, now is the perfect time to start.

Did you know that the major thing that sets successful people apart from unsuccessful people is that successful people write their goals down on paper AND they write them down on a regular basis? How hard is that?
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All I have to say is that if THAT is the major thing that defines whether or not a person is successful (that and a bit of action!), then teaching kids to set and achieve goals may be one of the many life-skills you should seriously consider modeling for your children.

FIRST TIME GOAL SETTERS

OK, if you’ve never ever really sat down long enough to consider WHERE you’re going or WHAT you want in life, it’s OK because you can start now. The past is the past; let it go. The future, however, is like a brand new sketch book ready for you to create, repleat with colors and shapes and feelings and expression.

Oh, you thought you had to WRITE your goals down on paper? Well, that’s a great start but my suggestion is to create what we teach in Camp Millionaire and Creative Wealth for Women and that’s called a Dream Board or Vision Board. Napoleon Hill, the author of Think and Grow Rich, once said something like, “What the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.” Great quote! We need to teach our children this concept early in life!

CREATING A DREAM OR VISION BOARD

This is a fun and simple process but it will take some thought and the proverbial question: What do I want in life? Before you begin the actual building a the dream board, write this question on the top of a piece of paper and just sit quietly and answer it. Have each child that is creating a board with you do it as well. Kids generally love this part!

My 2008 Dream Board

Here’s what you and your kids will need:

1) Two to three hours of uninterrupted time to relax and create and some great music to create by.

2) Poster board. Half sheets work best but if you want to use full sheets, by all means…have at it. Note: posterboard generally has a shiny side and a matte side. If you’re going to be using markers, use the matte side as the shiny side smears (ask me how I know!).

3) Lots of old/new magazines filled with great photos, alphabet letters (for ransom note like cut out words), etc. Magazines of your favorite hobbies and interests are great. Thrift stores often have lots of magazines for pennies if you don’t have a ready stock on hand.

 4) Tape, glue, scissors, markers, other art supplies for cutting out and attaching images to your poster board.

That’s it. Just assemble the things you need, set aside the time for your whole family to create the next year of their lives (or more) just the way everyone wants it and have a great time.

HINT: After everyone in the family has created their own dream or vision board and put it on the door or wall of their choice, create a Family Dream Board for 2009 and put it on the fridge because refrigerators have magical powers. Oh, you don’t know about that? Maybe I’ll explain that one later.

Now go plan your life! You’ll be suprised at how much fun it is. And when things start coming true and showing up for you and your kids, you’ll be even more excited about creating one for next year.

P.S. For other great activities and ideas for kids, get a copy of The Ultimate Allowance. It’s the only finanical parenting book you’ll ever need!