Goal Setting for Young People (15–25): A Smarter Way to Plan

A goal without a plan is only a wish.

That line gets quoted a lot because it’s painfully true.
And for young people between 15 and 25, it’s where things often break down.

You might have ideas about what you want. College. A Career. Independence. “Figuring it out.”
But turning those ideas into action can feel overwhelming, abstract, or… easy to put off.

And if you’re a parent reading this, you already know the tension:

• You want to help without nagging.
• Support without controlling.
• Guide without lectures.

Good news: there is a way to approach goal setting that actually works for young people. It just looks different than adult goal setting.

Why Goal Setting Looks Different for Young People Than Adults

Much of what we know about goal setting comes from adult productivity frameworks. One system that heavily influenced my own thinking is Michael Hyatt’s Full Focus methodology, which I still use personally and professionally.

In that framework, adults typically set 8–12 goals per calendar year, aligned to a long-term vision. When I first adopted this approach, one of my biggest realizations was how often I confused goals with tasks. No wonder I felt overwhelmed.

Goals are outcomes that move you toward a vision.
Tasks are the weekly actions that support those goals.

Once that distinction clicked, goal setting became manageable and effective—for me as an adult.

But that same approach doesn’t always translate cleanly to young people for two important reasons.

1. The Developing Brain Changes How Far Ahead Students Can Think

According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, the frontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for reasoning, impulse control, and future planning—continues developing into the mid-20s.

In their words, “the frontal cortex, the area of the brain that controls reasoning and helps us think before we act, develops later… and is still changing and maturing well into adulthood.”

This doesn’t mean young people can’t set goals.
It means expecting long-range, abstract planning isn’t realistic yet.

Shorter timelines work better.

2. Students Don’t Live on a January–December Calendar

Adults often plan by the calendar year. Students don’t.

Young people live by:
• semesters
• quarters
• trimesters
• academic years that start in August
• breaks that reset momentum (winter and summer, anyone?)

Trying to force annual goal-setting onto a school-based rhythm often leads to frustration and disengagement.

So instead of setting 8–12 goals per year, I recommend setting fewer goals per academic period.

That might be:
• a semester
• a quarter
• or another clearly defined school term

Smaller chunks create clarity. Clarity builds confidence.

And busy parents of young people, you may even want to adopt this rhythm over the traditional calendar.

A Goal Framework That Works for Young People

The structure itself doesn’t change much from adult goal setting. The scope and timing do.

I still use the SMARTER framework, which I write out by hand in my paper planner (yes, I’m still a believer in paper—and there’s science behind that).

Each goal should be:

• Specific
• Measurable (how will you know it’s complete?)
• Actionable (use a lot of verbs!)
• Risky (it should stretch you)
• Timebound (tied to a semester or quarter)
• Exciting (motivation matters)
• Relevant (connected to values and direction)

I personally use the Full Focus Planner by Michael Hyatt, which I’ve seen make a meaningful difference not only for adults but also for students who benefit from structure and visual planning. (This is an affiliate link, and it’s a tool I genuinely use and recommend.)

Research shared in Psychology Today also supports why writing goals down—rather than keeping them in your head—improves follow-through and memory. The physical act of writing engages the brain differently than typing or thinking alone.

Step One: Start With a Near-Term Vision

For young people, vision doesn’t mean locking in a life plan.

A better question is:
“What do you want to be true 1 to 3 years from now?”

That vision might include:
• exploring college majors that actually fit
• getting into a college that opens doors
• earning a certain GPA
• securing an internship or job that moves you into a career
• building independence
• developing confidence or direction

For parents, this is where restraint matters. Ask questions more than you give advice. If you feel the urge to tell, pause and reframe it as a question. And if the conversation gets heavy, it’s okay to table it and come back later.

Progress beats pressure.

Step Two: Set One Goal for the Current Semester or Quarter

Start with the nearest academic period, not the distant future.

Ask:
“What is one goal this term that moves me closer to that vision?”

Then review and adjust at the end of the term. Revisions aren’t failures. They’re data.

This cycle—plan, act, reflect, revise—is how clarity is built.

Step Three: Celebrate Progress (Not Just Results)

Young people need reinforcement more than adults.

Waiting until the final outcome to celebrate often kills motivation.

Instead, celebrate:
• consistency
• effort
• follow-through
• learning something new

Progress creates confidence. Confidence fuels action.

What Comes Next

Goals don’t work unless time is intentionally built into the week to support them. If it’s not scheduled, it’s optional—and optional goals tend to disappear.

Design the time. Create the structure. Adjust as needed.

And if one of the goals is figuring out what comes after high school or college—without wasting time, money, or momentum—Launch Career Clarity was built specifically for young people ages 15 to 25 and the parents supporting them.

Clarity doesn’t come from guessing.
It comes from intentional, well-timed steps.

And yes—everything is figureoutable.