How to Teach Students to Set Goals Beyond The Classroom
- Sean McCormick
- May 7, 2023
- 6 min read
Last Updated: July, 2026
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When students are caught up academically, executive function coaching can shift from fixing missing assignments to helping them build meaningful personal goals beyond school.
In this post, you'll learn how to teach students a simple structure to choose one goal, break it into daily actions, schedule it, track progress, and build confidence through follow-through.👇
Table of Contents
I received this question from an executive function coach in the EF Coaching Academy...
I am not sure what to do with my client this week. We have done all your suggestions as her biggest issue was missing assignments and discussed different studying strategies. Her mom still wants me to meet with her this week. Any ideas?
This is a great place to be with a student because now you can move from a place of catching up to a place of getting ahead.
This is an opportunity for your student to gain a greater sense of self-awareness around what motivates them (not just what they think will make their parents and teachers happy).
As an executive function coach, you're always looking for ways to enhance your students' learning experience and help them achieve their full potential.
In this post, I will introduce you to some powerful strategies that can revolutionize your coaching approach and elevate your students' success beyond the classroom.
By implementing these techniques, you'll not only address your students' immediate academic needs but also foster their personal growth and development.
Why Goals Beyond School Matter for Students
When students set goals outside of the classroom, they get to practice executive function skills in a more personal and meaningful way.
Not every important skill shows up as a grade in the portal.
Things like:
Waking up on time
building a routine
taking care of their space
exercising
managing money
or following through on a personal interest
...all require planning, task initiation, time management, self-monitoring, and consistency.
These goals also help students see themselves as capable beyond academics.
A student who learns to stick with a morning routine, cook a simple meal, save money, or practice guitar three times a week is building confidence that transfers back into school and life.
Plus, let’s be honest, some students are way more motivated by becoming independent than by another lecture about missing assignments.
Teach Students How to Use The "12-week year" Goal-Setting System
I often teach students how to start using the "12-week year system" that I learned about from one of my podcast guests, Brian P. Moran.
This system was explained in Brian's book, The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months.
The system breaks down the traditional annual planning approach into shorter, more focused timeframes.
Here's how to use the 12 Week Year system.👇
Step 1: Identify ONE goal that is part of your three visions.
This is something that you don't necessarily need to know exactly how you would arrive at, but that you are motivated to work toward.
If you are coaching a student on this you could ask the following questions:
If you could have exactly what you want, how would your life look different in three years?
What major accomplishments do you see in the next three years? Any graduations (high school, college, etc.)?
Step 2: Break the three-year vision into SMART objectives and choose one of them to focus on first.
From that three-year vision goal, set a SMART objective you could achieve in the next 12 weeks (90 days).
SMART stands for:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-bound
For example, if a student's 3-year vision is "I want to become more independent, feel confident taking care of myself, and have healthy routines that make me feel good physically and mentally".
Then, a SMART goal could be:
Over the next 12 weeks, I will build a consistent morning routine by waking up by 7:30 AM at least 5 days per week, making my bed, eating breakfast, and getting outside for a 10-minute walk before starting my day.
Step 3: Chunk that prioritized SMART objective into tasks for the week
Break that 12-week objective into daily tasks.
These are the tasks that you need to complete to reach your 12-week objective.
Ensure that each tactic is aligned with your 12-week objectives.
Imagine these tasks as dominos that will sequentially move you closer to achieving your 12-week objective.
For our example above, daily tasks could include things like:
Wake up by 7:30 AM
Make my bed
Eat breakfast
Go outside for a 10-minute walk
Check off the routine on a tracker
Step 4: Calendar out those tasks and set alarms
Schedule those tasks into your calendar.
Then, set alarms and reminders to work on those tasks.
If you want a visual layout so you can add these daily tasks into time chunks, download my free ideal week template here.
Step 5: Review the week and see how the plan went
Consistently track your progress by reviewing your weekly plan at the end of each week.
Evaluate which tactics you've completed and which ones are left.
Adjust your plan as needed to ensure you're on track to achieve your goals.
Step 6: Reflect
As an executive function coach, hold your student accountable for their goals.
Regular check-ins can help keep them motivated and committed to their 12-week plan.
At the end of the 12 weeks, review overall performance.
Assess what worked well, what didn't, and what your client can improve for the next 12-week cycle.
Use this feedback to refine your goals and tactics for the next cycle.
Additionally, encourage your client to give themselves a short break between 12-week cycles to rest and recharge.
This will help you maintain your motivation and energy for the next cycle.
If you are a parent and feel that your child may need external support from an executive function coach to set and move towards their goals, book a free inquiry call with our team at EF Specialists here.
The Bottom Line
Students who learn to set and follow through on personal goals build the confidence, independence, and self-trust they need to manage real life, not just their next assignment.
Here's a recap of how to set goals using the 12-week year system:
Identify ONE goal that is part of your three visions.
Break the three-year vision into SMART objectives and choose one of them to focus on first.
Chunk that prioritized SMART objective into tasks for the week
Calendar out those tasks and set alarms
Review the week and see how the plan went
Reflect
Hope this helps 🤙🏻
FAQs
What if a student has no idea what goal they want to work on?
Start by asking what they wish felt easier, more fun, or more independent in their life outside of school. If they still shrug like a professional mystery guest, offer a few categories like routines, hobbies, health, money, friendships, or responsibilities.
Should the 12-week goal be academic or personal?
It can be either, but personal goals are especially helpful when the student is caught up academically or needs to build confidence outside of grades. These goals still build executive function skills like planning, task initiation, time management, and follow-through.
What if the student doesn’t follow the plan perfectly?
That’s normal, and honestly, expected. The goal is not perfection, but learning how to notice what worked, what got in the way, and how to adjust the plan for the next week.
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P.S. If you want to work on executive function skills with your students, consider joining hundreds of other educators and parents who have completed my Semester Success Blueprint Course. In less than 2 hours, this comprehensive course will teach you and your student the system I developed to help hundreds of students learn how to manage school effectively and raise their self-awareness and engagement with school.
About Me
Hey! I'm Sean 👋
I'm a former public school special education teacher who realized that executive function skills are more important than knowing when George Washington crossed the Potomac.
Since then, I've made it my mission to teach anyone who will listen about how to develop these key life skills.
In 2020, I founded Executive Function Specialists to ensure all students with ADHD and Autism have access to high-quality online executive function coaching services. We offer online EF coaching and courses to help students and families.
Realizing I could only reach so many people through coaching, in 2021 I started the Executive Function Coaching Academy which trains schools, educators, and individuals to learn the key strategies to improve executive function skills for students.
In 2023, I co-founded of UpSkill Specialists, to provide neurodivergent adults with high-quality executive function coaching services.
When not pursuing my passions through work, I love spending time with my family, getting exercise, and growing my brain through reading. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.
Want me to speak on executive function skills at your event? Learn more about my speaking topics here.