You are on page 1of 3

Anuska Martins

S.M.A.R.T. Goals Workshop


Facilitation Guide

Summer 2016

Workshop Goal: To introduce realistic goal-setting strategies, namely S.M.A.R.T. goals, which could help
participants through their concrete steps needed to move forward, while increasing their motivation and
reinstating their belief in their own capacities.
Intended Audience: Residents of a women's shelter for survivors of intimate partner violence and clients of
the shelter's external center.
Learning goals: By the end of this workshop participants will

Be able to identify their positive qualities and feel motivated by past accomplishments
Have a basic understanding of S.MA.R.T goal strategies and how they can apply these tools to their
current circumstances
Have a motivational strategy to help them through challenges they will face when working towards
their goals

Workshop duration: 1hr


Number of participants: 1-9 participants
Language: The materials are presented in English and French. Should any participants be unable to read or
write in these languages, additional support can be given to them by a counsellor. Some terms may be
different in English than in French, but can be explained in context.
Materials needed:

Whiteboard and whiteboard markers


PowerPoint presentation (either with computer/projector to have a slideshow, or a printout of the
slides to use in conjunction with whiteboard/markers)
Activity handouts
Pens or pencils
Paper plates
Brads
Different coloured construction paper and scissors
Arrows pre-cut out of construction paper (in a colour that can be visibly written on)
Colored pencils/markers
Blank cards and corresponding envelopes (one for each participant)
Evaluation forms

Workshop Facilitation Guide:


1) Introductory Activity:

o
o

Focus of Activity: Self Efficacy building


Purpose:
o To guide participants towards identifying positive qualities in themselves
o To draw from past accomplishments
o To explore qualities they want to develop or see more of in themselves
o To connect with each other and reflect individually
Materials: Marker, whiteboard, positive qualities worksheets, pens/pencils, paper
Length: 10 minutes

Anuska Martins

S.M.A.R.T. Goals Workshop


Facilitation Guide

Summer 2016

Activity:
o As a group, brainstorm positive or admirable qualities on the board
o Ask participants to think about which qualities they identify with or want to develop
o Give clients "positive qualities" worksheet and ask them to circle any qualities which speak
to them
o Ask clients to choose five of the qualities they circled which they believe they have or want
to develop
o Ask participants to reflect on something they accomplished in their life (give big and small
examples) and how these qualities may have helped them achieve their goal.
o Ask participants to individually note, on a scale of 1-10, how much they believe in
themselves now. Ask them to think about what it would take to bring that belief to a 10
o Come back as a group and ask discussion questions on how they felt completing the exercise

2) S.M.A.R.T. Goals activity


o
o

o
o
o

Focus: To introduce effective goal-setting strategies


Purpose:
o To empower participants in their journey to move forward
o To provide tools for breaking down larger goals into smaller, realistic, concrete steps
o For participants to gain a greater belief in their ability to succeed
o To connect with each other while also reflecting individually
Materials: Markers/Whiteboard, S.M.A.R.T. goals theory slides, individual S.M.A.R.T. Goals
worksheets, pens/pencils
Length: 20 minutes
Activity:
o As a group, brainstorm a big goal all participants share (to move forward from the shelter, to
be safe, to be happy, etc..), and smaller steps that might be needed to reach that goal. Ask
participants to list possible "Aids" and "roadblocks" to these goals
o Introduce the S.M.A.R.T goals theory. Highlight the importance of realistic, self-set goals and
how the more we accomplish these smaller goals, the closer we move towards our larger
goals. Discuss the connection between goal-setting strategies and increased motivation/selfefficacy.
o Hand out individual S.M.A.R.T. goal worksheets and ask participants to think of one small
goal they would like to accomplish before they leave the shelter (for clients of the external
center: a goal to accomplish within a time frame such as the next two months). The goal can
be related to personal development or their processes. Ask them to complete the worksheet
using that goal.
o As a group, reflect on the process of completing this exercise (How was this helpful? In what
ways was it challenging?)
o Suggest that clients bring their worksheet back to their Case worker to keep in their file and
individually monitor their progress towards reaching their goal.

3) Motivation wheel
o
o

Focus: Motivational Strategies


Purpose: To introduce the concept of positive self-talk as a strategy to help clients motivate
themselves to persevere when faced with obstacles

Anuska Martins

o
o
o

S.M.A.R.T. Goals Workshop


Facilitation Guide

Summer 2016

Materials: Whiteboard/markers, paper plates, colored pencils/markers, construction paper and


scissors (or pre-made arrows), brads
Length: 20 minutes
Activity:
o Return to the "Roadblocks" list from the first exercise
o Ask clients to reflect on a possible 'Roadblock to their S.M.AR.T. goal
o Ask clients to list possible actions to counter these roadblocks
o Hand out materials and have clients create a motivation wheel of affirmations; positive
actions or words to help them through these challenges
o Ask clients to write their goal, or a word to represent their goal, on the arrow they attach to
the center of their wheel.
o Come back as a group and ask clients about the process of this exercise

4) Love letters
o
o

o
o
o

Focus: Self-efficacy and motivation building


Purpose:
o To encourage positive self-talk
o To bring together the workshop's themes (self-efficacy, goal-setting, motivation)
Materials: Blank cards, pens/pencils
Length: 5 minutes
Activity:
o Ask participants to think of one word or sentiment they took from this workshop to carry
forward and write them on the board
o Hand out cards
o Ask participants to write a message to themselves about a wish or hope for when they leave
the shelter (for external clients: three months from now). Ask them to mention the positive
qualities they identified at the beginning of the workshop.
o Ask clients to go back to their first activity rating, and reflect on whether this rating has
changed (belief in whether they can grant this wish for themselves)
o Collect cards to keep in clients files and give back to them when they leave the shelter (for
external clients: can give to them in three months or when their follow-up is coming to an
end).

5) Evaluations
o
o
o
o
o

Focus: Reflective Feedback


Purpose: To receive constructive feedback from participants regarding the workshop presentation,
material, and its practical value.
Length: 5 minutes
Materials: Evaluation forms, pens/pencils
Activity:
o Hand out evaluation forms for participants to complete
o Advise clients they do not have to write their names on the forms

You might also like