In the first part of this post, I have already introduced the following sections:
Why are training goals important?
How do you set training goals?
What hurdles and obstacles hinder implementation?
If you are curious, here you can find the article part 1:
https://www.blink.it/trainingsziele-langfristig-begleiten-teil-1-ziele-und-zielsetzung/
The second part is about the use of tools for achieving goals. I would like to briefly address again what purpose these tools serve.
Why is documenting goals helpful? The answer: Measure success and create clear conditions
Before documenting goals can begin, these goals must first be set. In the first part, you have already read about the SMART method: Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attractive, Realistic, and Time-bound. Specific, challenging goals lead to better performance compared to simple goals, vague goal descriptions, or abstract goal ideas. For example, “Do your best” is abstract and vague (Source). When SMART goals are defined, an important process is initiated. The unspecific ideas turn into a concrete plan. 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 must keep track of their progress. “I do that in my head…” is a popular answer - but it often doesn't work. Various judgment errors, gaps in memory, or memory distortions lead to our assessments being flawed. Documentation provides us with objective feedback. It shows when one has been successful and when one has been 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 turn documentation into a rewarding event, this behavior will automatically be reinforced.
A positive cycle emerges:
The goal for the day is achieved
One is happy to make a check mark in the calendar
After a week, one looks at the calendar and is pleased with several check marks
After the first repetitions, the first positive changes become noticeable
Motivation rises additionally
After many iterations, a habit forms
Emphasize in your training that it is better to start with a goal. Even not reaching 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 introduce the tools in your training. Your challenge lies in convincing the participants why documentation is useful. Prepare yourself for objections! The most common argument is: “I don’t have time for that.” Two thoughts on this: 1. Yes, one has to take the time to make a check mark in a calendar or click a button. However, with the right method, that can be done quickly, and documentation becomes easy. 2. If the goal is important, one will find the time. With these tools, your participants will document their progress.
The classic variant: Paper and pen
The classic variant succeeds with a ballpoint pen and paper. A table is helpful to keep track. Moleskine offers templates for timers (template with table). Here are two templates:
A simple spiral notebook leads to the same result as a beautifully 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 posted additional training materials online or have an online support, you can link your training notebook with these materials. How this works, I have presented in this article (This is how you inform about your online support). Your participants can note the first entries in your training. Your participants will be happy about a template for documentation. This template can also be easily linked with an app or your online support. For example, one can 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's best to use the smartphone camera or a scanner app (like 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 needs to be chosen according to preference. In functionality, most apps differ only minimally. Quick input and ease of handling are also important.
I would now like to introduce a small selection of apps:
Google Calendar App
Recently, Google added a documentation feature to the smartphone calendar app. By adding the option “add goal,” one can add a goal or task. I already use the Google Calendar anyway and have had good experiences with this additional feature. 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 name three apps here that I have personally tested:
Momentum
Habitbull
Rewire
These apps offer standard documentation functions with reminders. I like the simple design and the graphical evaluations. I particularly appreciate the graphical feedback when one successfully implements a goal repeatedly.
You can introduce this selection of apps to your participants. Explain to them why it is important to document their progress in their app. An app can be practical because one usually has their smartphone with them, and most apps offer reminder features. In your online support, you can ask how often your participants documented their progress during the week.
We find it pretty cool that in the training sector, it is slowly becoming clear what space E-learning methods, media (e.g., video or interactive presentations), and apps take up. We want to show you how to extend your in-person training online. If you have questions or know of a good connection between offline and online, then leave us a comment. We would be happy to show you how you can support your in-person training with the blink.it app online and thus bring your participants even better from knowledge to ability.
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