In the first part of this article, I have already introduced the following sections:
Why are training goals important?
How do you set training goals?
What barriers and obstacles hinder implementation?
If you are curious, you can find Article Part 1 here:
https://www.blink.it/trainingsziele-langfristig-begleiten-teil-1-ziele-und-zielsetzung/
The second part discusses the use of tools for achieving goals. I want to briefly address the purpose of these tools.
Why is documenting goals helpful? The answer: measure success and create clarity
Before documenting the goals starts, these goals must first be defined. In the first part, you have already read about the SMART method: Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Atractable, Realistic, and Time-bound. Specific, challenging goals lead to better performance compared to simple goals, vague goal descriptions, or abstract goal concepts. Abstract and vague is, for example, “Do your best” (Source). When SMART goals are defined, an important process is initiated. From the nonspecific ideas, a concrete plan emerges. This plan then consists of individual, specific action steps.
The “M” in the SMART method stands for measurable. This is where documentation comes into play. Somehow, one has to keep track of their progress. “I do that in my head…” is a popular response - but it usually doesn’t work. Various judgment errors, memory gaps, or memory distortions ensure that our assessments become flawed. Documentation provides us with objective feedback. It shows when one was successful and when one was held back by an obstacle. In this way, one can track their development, plan for future situations, and possibly adjust the action strategy.
If you make documentation a rewarding event, this behavior will be automatically reinforced.
A positive cycle emerges:
The goal for the day is achieved
One is happy to make a checkmark in the calendar
After a week, one looks at the calendar and is pleased with several checkmarks
After the first repetitions, the first positive changes become noticeable
Motivation additionally increases
After many repetitions, a habit forms
Emphasize in your training that it is better to start with a goal. Even the non-achievement of the goal should be documented. Explain to your participants that they need to develop a sense of responsibility towards themselves.
Documentation tools for your participants
As a trainer or coach, you can only present the tools in your training. Your challenge is to convince the participants why documentation is useful. Prepare for objections! The most common argument is: “I don’t have time for that.” Two thoughts on this: 1. Yes, one must take the time to make a checkmark in a calendar or click a button. However, with the right method, it can be done quickly, and documenting becomes easy. 2. If the goal is important, one finds the time. With these tools, your participants document their progress.
The classic variant: paper and pen
The classic variant works with a ballpoint pen and paper. A table is helpful to keep an overview. Moleskine offers templates for timers (template with table). Here are two templates:
A simple spiral notebook leads to the same result as a well-designed notebook (http://www.thehabitjournal.com/work/). If you offer a training package, you can customize such a notebook for your training and sell it as a product. This company Brandbook offers a configurator for notebooks. If you have uploaded additional training materials online or have an online support, you can link your training notebook with these materials. I have described how to do this in this article (How to inform about your online support). Your participants can note the first entries in your training. Your participants will be pleased with a template for documentation. This template can also be well linked with an app or your online support. For example, one could be reminded by an app to document. If you want to see whether your participants have documented their goals, you can ask them for a picture of their documentation. To quickly capture a page from a notebook, it is best to use a smartphone camera or a scanner app (for example, Scanbot).
Modern: Documenting with the help of apps
There are now countless apps for documentation. These apps are often referred to as "habit trackers". The design must be selected according to taste. In functionality, most apps differ only minimally. Quick input and easy handling are also important.
I will now present a small selection of apps:
Google Calendar App
Recently, Google added a documentation function to its smartphone calendar app. Through the option to add “goal,” a goal or task can be added. I already use Google Calendar and have had good experiences with this additional function. The documentation can be easily set up, and the Google Calendar App is free.
In addition to the Google Calendar App, there are other (paid) alternatives. I would like to mention three apps that I have tested myself:
Momentum
Habitbull
Rewire
These apps offer the standard documentation functions with reminders. I like the simple design and the graphical evaluations. I particularly like the graphical feedback when one has repeatedly successfully achieved a goal.
You can present this selection of apps to your participants. Explain to them why it is important to document progress in their app. An app can be practical because one usually has their smartphone with them, and most apps offer reminder functions. In your online support, you can ask how often your participants documented their progress during the week.
We find it quite cool that it is slowly becoming clear in the training field what role E-learning methods, media (like video or interactive presentations), and apps will play. We want to show you how to expand your in-person training online. If you have questions or know a good way to link offline and online, please leave us a comment. We would be happy to show you how to online support your in-person training with the blink.it App and thus help your participants to move from knowledge to skills even better.
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