Level Up Your Team: Fun Activities to Boost Goal-Setting Skills
Setting goals and working towards them clearly and unquestionably benefits your program. Whether personal development goals or professional goals, incorporating goal-setting games and activities into your plan is an easy way to succeed. Setting goals is the easy part, but it doesn’t mean anything if there isn’t a feasible way to achieve them, even if they aren’t time-bound.
Research has repeatedly shown that groups achieve more when they set goals because goals motivate people as much as they guide and direct their energy towards a common objective. Achieving goals doesn’t happen overnight; it takes a commitment to actively work towards the objective, especially in group settings where team members must keep each other accountable.
Setting goals is more than just facing everyone in the same direction, though. It’s about giving people a reason to participate, especially if their (or your program’s) goal sits outside of their comfort zone. To this end, it is particularly powerful to involve your group in the goal-setting process (if possible) because this choice will give them more control and allow them to feel more responsible for the final result.
What are goals?
Goals are specific, measurable objectives that individuals or teams aim to achieve within a defined timeframe. They provide direction and motivation, helping to focus efforts and resources on desired outcomes. Goals can be personal or professional, driving progress and creating a sense of accomplishment when achieved.
Goals can be explicit or implicit, casual or very formal. They are the lens through which every exercise and interaction should be viewed as you design and deliver your program. They can be as easy as a vision board, where goals are defined, and you can constantly see potential end results from achieving them.
Short programs—such as conferences and business meetings—tend to adopt straightforward, often implicit goals, whereas longer programs—such as classrooms, a healthy organisational culture, and weekly youth group meetings—always benefit from investing more time and effort in the process.
SMART Goal Setting Process
A poor process for setting an effective goal, or worse, the absence of a goal, are two of the main reasons programs fail. In my goal-setting endeavours, I have found it helpful to follow the SMART goal guidelines to set effective goals. SMART goals are:
Specific – clear and concise, one goal at a time
Measurable – in time and quantity
Achievable – realistic, but also a stretch
Relevant – has direct significance and connection
Trackable – allows monitoring of progress
Traditional goal setting follows a few principles that those working towards the goal should abide by. These principles are:
Motivate and encourage participants to put in effort to achieve the goal
Encourage persistence and positive behaviour changes that align with the goal
Set reminders to ensure everyone is on the same page and stays focused on the task at hand
The technology of SMART goals is leveraged in the book Serious Fun by Mark Collard to expand on the R factor (relevance) and help you articulate the difference your program will make to your group.
Backward Goal Setting
SMART goals can be effectively achieved using the backward goal-setting method. After defining your goals, this approach emphasises identifying the necessary steps to reach them. A successful backward goal-setting process often looks like this:
Create and document your SMART goal: Write them down, whether on post-it notes at your desk or vision boards around your home. This will help you stay accountable and keep your goals top of mind.
Identify the milestone right before the end goal: Determine what event or achievement needs to happen just before you reach your final goal, and outline the steps necessary to get there.
Work backwards to create a timeline: Continue mapping out each prior milestone, developing an achievable timeline outlining how and when to meet each step.
Focus on the first actionable goal: Identify realistic goals you can work on now and take action. Look for any common behaviours or habits across your goals and actively integrate them into your routine.
This process works towards successful goal achievement by breaking down the goal into smaller steps to make it less overwhelming and more realistic. The key is to create goals you can achieve quickly, motivating you to strive towards the next one.
Fun Goal Setting Games & Activities
We’ve handpicked a selection of our favourite goal setting games for you. Click the links below to scroll directly to the activity.
Five Senses
Phones & Faxes
Overhand knot
Pay off
Blind Maze
Nerves of Steel
Postive-Negative
Crossword Names
Flungee
Ducks in a Row
1. Five Senses
This mindfulness exercise encourages participants to slow down, focus on the present moment, and engage their senses. An object is passed around the circle, and participants are encouraged to focus on it and feel the item. This awareness helps them approach personal or professional goals with a fresh perspective, free of distractions or preconceived ideas. I have found that this activity is beneficial to participate in before beginning the goal setting process as it promotes self-reflection, encourages individuals to explore their goals with greater clarity and openness, and makes it easier to identify new possibilities and pathways forward.
Recommended group size: 8 – 15 people
Typical duration: 2 – 5 minutes
Why it’s great:
Simple instructions
Calming
Sharpens focus & attention
Fosters mindfulness
Encourages an open mind
2. Phones & Faxes
This activity promotes open-mindedness and goal setting by challenging participants to improve performance with each round. Participants begin in the centre, trying to catch as many tossed items as possible, mirroring the process of setting and refining goals. By reflecting on their results and adjusting strategies, the group learns to adapt, collaborate, and pursue continuous improvement—critical elements in achieving personal or professional goals.
Recommended group size: 15 – 30 people
Typical duration: 20 – 30 minutes
Why it’s great:
Very playful & fun
Promotes collaboration
Fosters innovation
Continuous improvement
3. Overhand Knot
The overhand knot is a successful goal-setting activity that encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and persistence. Small groups are challenged to tie a knot without letting go of the rope or each other’s hands. Through trial and error, participants learn to adapt and refine their approach and overcome obstacles, mirroring the process of setting and achieving goals.
After completing the task, teams reflect on their strategies and receive constructive feedback, promoting continuous improvement and developing goal-setting techniques. I have used this activity in various settings, especially in classrooms where the focus is also on team-building.
Recommended group size: 3 – 8 people
Typical duration: 15 – 20 minutes
Why it’s great:
Simple set-up
Ideal for small groups
Promotes collaboration
Multiple challenges
4. Pay Off
This activity emphasises goal setting by challenging teams to strategise and make decisions to maximise their points over eight rounds. Teams must choose cards in secret, without communication, and adjust their strategy based on the outcomes. The process mirrors setting and achieving goals, as teams must analyse the pay-off formula, adapt their approach, and collaborate within their group to improve results and develop a competitive advantage. Reflecting on the outcomes helps participants learn from their strategies, reinforcing the importance of planning, teamwork, and adaptability in reaching personal or professional goals.
Recommended group size: 15 – 30 people
Typical duration: 45 – 60 minutes
Why it’s great:
Small group set-up
Focus on decision-making
Promotes interdependence
Inspires powerful metaphors
Explores values
5. Blind Maze
This activity focuses on goal setting by challenging a blindfolded group to navigate through a maze of ropes and trees; this is often used as an icebreaker activity for a goal-setting workshop as it encourages members to work together. Participants must collaborate, communicate, and stay connected to achieve their objective of finding the exit. This mirrors the goal-setting process, as participants must strategise, adapt to obstacles, and rely on teamwork to succeed. The debrief at the end encourages reflection on the journey, emphasising the importance of collaboration, problem-solving, and persistence in reaching personal and collective goals.
Recommended group size: 8 – 15 people
Typical duration: 20 – 30 minutes
Why it’s great:
Promotes collaboration
Focus on effective communication
Multiple metaphors
Encourages members to work towards a shared goal
6. Nerves of Steel
Nerves of Steel promotes goal setting and collaboration by efficiently challenging participants to occupy and swap chairs in a dynamic environment. The four seated individuals must work together to quickly move between chairs while the person in the centre attempts to claim a vacant seat. This requires strategic planning, communication, and teamwork to achieve success in occupying all chairs and returning to the starting position first. The rotation of roles fosters collaboration and adaptability, reinforcing the importance of working together to overcome challenges and successfully reach objectives in both team settings and personal goals.
Recommended group size: 3 – 8 people
Typical duration: 15 – 20 minutes
Why it’s great:
Very playful & fun
Simple set-up
Sharpens reflexes
Competitive
It needs only five people
7. Positive-Negative
This activity encourages goal-setting and open-mindedness by having participants create a story with alternating positive and negative events. This collaborative process reflects the nature of goal setting, where challenges and successes coexist, commonly occurring when attempting to achieve goals. Concluding on a positive note reinforces the importance of optimism, encouraging creativity, teamwork, and resilience and can be applied to achieving your own goals.
Recommended group size: 2 people
Typical duration: 2-5 minutes
Why it’s great:
Inspires creativity
Strong metaphor to explore mindsets
Ideal for pairs & small groups
No props
8. Crossword Names
Engaging in goal-setting activities is a fun way to encourage participants to get to know each other and work together. Crossword Names are one of the more effective goal setting activities for students, especially those in new classes or settings, as they emphasise the significance of knowing your teammates to achieve shared goals
In this activity, participants spell out their names using letter cards and connect them crossword-style, fostering collaboration and interaction. This process highlights how understanding each member’s contributions enhances teamwork. Reflecting on the interconnected names reinforces the idea that a successful partnership relies on recognising and valuing each person’s unique role within the group.
Recommended group size: 15-30 people
Typical duration: 5-10 minutes
Why it’s great:
Quick set-up
Highly interactive
Promotes collaboration
Assists learning names
Multiple variations
9. Flungee
Flungee focuses on goal setting and shared objectives by challenging participants to propel a rubber chicken using a bungee cord. By setting specific goals such as distance or accuracy, the group collaborates to achieve these objectives. The exercise encourages strategic thinking and teamwork, as participants must discuss their approaches and adjust their techniques to reach their targets. Exploring variations further enhances engagement and emphasises the importance of adaptability in working toward shared goals.
Recommended group size: 8-15 people
Typical duration: 20-30 minutes
Why it’s great:
Very fun & playful
Interactive
Fosters collaboration
Ideal trial/error exercise
10. Ducks in a Row
This activity uses rubber ducks as a metaphor for goal setting, with each duck representing a value the group aspires to embody, such as “Be Safe.” Lining up the ducks symbolises the group’s alignment and performance — when they’re straight, it reflects effective teamwork. Discussing which ducks are flying high or low prompts self-reflection on behaviours and encourages commitment to improvement. This metaphor helps the group identify actionable steps to align all their “ducks,” representing their team goals.
Recommended group size: 15-30 people
Typical duration: 20-30 minutes
Why it’s great:
Powerful metaphor
Physical representation of values
Fosters communication
Puts values into existence
Simple reflection tool
Piecing it together: Goal Setting Activities
If you’re looking for engaging and interactive activities to incorporate into your next goal-setting workshop — indoors or outdoors — the ten games we have explored here are perfect for helping you and your team achieve personal and professional goals.
I hope you’ve found these enjoyable goal-setting activity suggestions helpful. Remember, these are just starting points; feel free to modify them to fit your group’s needs and personal values.
That said, we encourage you to observe how your participants engage with these inspiring activities and help them achieve their goals.
Happy goal setting!
WE ENGAGE CARDS
Thought-provoking series of cards to inspire engagement.
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Top Ten Icebreakers & Group Games
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