Educators must model the use of self-evaluation, open-minded thinking, and goal setting. When goals are meaningful, purposeful, and achievable, the process of reaching them will inspire, motivate, and challenge the person to achieve at a higher level. Actions have more purpose, behaviors have clearer consequences, and a sense of capability grows in the mind of all.

Hard goals are specific rather than vague, and challenging rather than easy.  Hard goals require one to move beyond their current level of achievement in some significant way.  Setting specific goals can

• focus attention on activities that will lead to accomplishment of the goal and divert attention from irrelevant activities.

• energize and trigger greater effort than low-challenge goals.

• prolong effort. People with challenging goals demonstrate greater levels of persistence.

• cause people to tap into knowledge and strategies they already have and also to look for ways to increase their knowledge and strategy repertoire to accomplish the goal.