How should a coach set goals with a new client so the goals actually stick and get tracked?
Vague goals fade fast. Here is how to set goals with a new client that stick and stay trackable over time.
Shape each goal into something concrete enough to mark progress against and tied to what the client actually wants, since a vague goal cannot be measured and tends to fade. Write goals down together so you share the same understanding, then revisit and update them across sessions. Tracked goals give the client the visible progress that keeps them engaged.
Vague goals cannot be tracked
A goal like get healthier feels good but cannot be measured, so neither you nor the client can tell if it is working.
Goals that cannot be tracked tend to fade, taking the client's sense of progress with them. Related: What is the best way for a coach to show a client real progress over many months of work?
Keep reading: How can a busy coach prepare for the next client session in just a couple of minutes?, What is the best way for a coach to show a client real progress over many months of work?, What makes a coaching session note actually useful when you sit down to prepare next time?. See how CoachLedgr helps you coaching session notes and client progress ledger.
Make goals concrete
Shape each goal into something specific enough to mark progress against, tied to what the client actually wants. Related: What should a coach do when a client stops making progress after several productive sessions?
A concrete goal gives every session a direction and gives progress something to attach to. Related: How can a coach keep an accurate count of sessions remaining in every client's package?
Write goals down together
Record goals with the client so both of you share the same understanding of what you are working toward.
A written goal is one you can return to, unlike a spoken intention that drifts over time.
Revisit goals regularly
Check in on goals across sessions, update progress, and adjust them as the client grows. Related: How should a coach keep client session notes private and secure without making them hard to use?
Goals that get revisited stay alive, and tracked goals give the client the visible progress that keeps them engaged.
- Vague goals cannot be measured or tracked
- Make each goal concrete and specific
- Write goals down with the client
- Revisit and update goals across sessions
Julien Jimenez
Julien Jimenez is an independent software builder based in Paris. He designs, ships, and operates focused SaaS products for small businesses and independent professionals. Read the full author page.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a goal like 'get healthier' rarely stick?
It feels good but cannot be measured, so neither you nor the client can tell whether it is working. Goals that cannot be tracked tend to fade, taking the client's sense of progress with them.
Why write goals down with the client rather than just discussing them?
A written goal is one you can both return to, unlike a spoken intention that drifts over time. Recording it together ensures you share the same understanding of what you are working toward.
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Coaching session notes and client progress ledger. CoachLedgr is built to help you put this into practice.
Start your ledger freeMore from the CoachLedgr blog
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What is the best way for a coach to show a client real progress over many months of work?
What makes a coaching session note actually useful when you sit down to prepare next time?
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