In Kenya, self-employment among youth is a significant aspect of the economy, with about 70% of young people engaged in informal employment, including self-employment and small-scale entrepreneurship. However, despite this lively engagement, many face significant obstacles that hinder their progress.

One of the primary challenges the youth encounter is a lack of structure in both their personal and professional lives. This includes difficulty in prioritizing tasks, holding themselves accountable, and tracking their progress. Without a solid routine or consistent approach, it becomes hard to move forward. This is why goal setting was a crucial topic during our recent interaction with participants from Muchatha.

Addressing the Challenges:

During our workshop, we revisited the goals that we had asked our participants to form and discussed the hurdles they faced while trying to achieve them. Many participants shared that a lack of motivation and the fear of failure often prevented them from making meaningful progress. These challenges reinforced the need for a structured approach to goal setting, as well as a deeper understanding of how to overcome self-doubt and stay focused on their objectives.

Daniel, for example, shared, “I have been working on increasing stock for my shoe business, but I have faced challenges like poor financial management, where I tend to use money meant to increase stock for personal use.” His story resonated with others, as many voiced similar concerns about managing both personal and business finances.

Daniel’s experience highlighted a pervasive issue, one that many young entrepreneurs can relate to. His story revealed how vital it is to set clear, achievable financial goals and stick to them. By applying the SMART goal-setting framework, Daniel could break down his financial objectives into smaller, actionable steps, such as allocating a specific amount of money each week for reinvestment in his business or closely tracking his expenses.

Applying SMART Goal-Setting Strategies:

We then introduced the SMART goal-setting framework to help participants structure their objectives more effectively. This method encourages individuals to break down their goals into smaller, manageable actions, establish reward systems, and seek support from their peers. Participants had to rework the goals they had set and apply the SMART framework to refine and improve them.

Diphina who had a loan set a SMART goal to pay it off by committing to pay 500 shillings every week for the next four months. She explained that her loan had been a significant source of stress, and being able to pay it off would be a great milestone.

Agnes, who had previously set a general goal of losing weight, refined her objective using the SMART framework. She shared, “My goal is to lose weight, but to make it more specific and measurable, I’ll start running every day at 7 AM for the next four months.” To support her goal, she was paired with Peter, a dedicated football player who follows a strict morning exercise routine. “Having a workout buddy will definitely help me stay committed,” Agnes said, underscoring the importance of support and accountability in achieving goals.

Building Support Systems:

During the workshop, we noticed that several participants had similar goals, which presented a perfect opportunity to introduce the concept of accountability partners. These partners are crucial for enhancing motivation and ensuring consistent progress. By checking in regularly with one another, participants would monitor each other’s progress, address challenges, and provide support to stay on track.

By applying SMART goal-setting strategies, our participants will be able to refine their future goals into actionable steps. Through their accountability partners, we will receive feedback on their progress during future sessions. Additionally, they are not only building the discipline and structure needed for success but also cultivating a sense of community and shared purpose, which is essential for lasting achievement.