by Alphonsa Ohol for BIS Mumbai

As a part of the Golden Jubilee Celebration Sacred Heart Parish, Yerwada organized, ‘The Goal-Setting and Motivation Program’ for students of Std 9th to 12th on October 2, 2024, at Don Bosco School Hall. This event aimed to guide students in understanding the significance of setting goals and maintaining motivation in their life journeys. The guest speaker was Fr Ian Doulton, the Rector of Don Bosco Youth Centre, Koregaon Park, known for his deep connection with young people. The program began with an enthusiastic welcome by Fr Michael Fernandes, the Parish priest of Sacred Heart Church.

"Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." This set the tone for a day filled with inspiration and practical learning. Fr Doulton started by addressing the challenges faced by teenagers, including peer pressure, self-doubt, and fear of failure. He highlighted the importance of motivation as a driving force in overcoming these struggles and introduced goal setting as a roadmap to staying focused.

Students were divided into groups, to get collaboration among participants from various schools and colleges. Fr Doulton spoke about the complexities of the teenage brain, helping students better understand their emotions and decision-making processes during adolescence. He emphasized that setting both short-term and long-term goals can provide clarity and purpose in life and that students should aim for not only academic success but also personal growth.

Throughout the session, Fr Doulton used various examples and inspiring video clips to strengthen his message. These clips showcased individuals who overcame significant challenges to achieve their dreams, inspiring the students to believe in themselves and persist despite setbacks. The students’ active participation through thoughtful questions and engagement indicated that the message was clear to the students.

In the end, Fr Doulton guided students in creating personalized goal-setting frameworks. He encouraged them to start small with daily and weekly goals, eventually progressing to long-term goals. This step-by-step approach made goal setting more attainable. He also stressed the importance of self-love and self-motivation, encouraging students to be patient and kind to themselves as they work towards their goals.

The event was a success, leaving students feeling inspired, equipped with practical tools to set and achieve their goals, and motivated to continue their journey of self-improvement.

Activities were conducted, and spot prizes were given to the students.

The program concluded with a felicitation ceremony, where Fr Ian Doulton was honored for his insightful and inspiring session. Fr Michael Fernandes presented him with a token of appreciation, thanking him for his valuable time and effort in guiding the students. The students also sang the Happy Birthday song for Fr Michael as he celebrated his birthday.

Then, Fr Michael thanked all the parish volunteers and all those who were instrumental in making this programme a success. The event concluded on a positive note, with students leaving the hall feeling inspired and ready to apply the lessons they had learned in their personal and academic lives.