Goal-setting for children works best through small, visible, achievable targets building toward the skill of larger goal pursuit — concrete practice before abstract "dream big" conversations.
Genuine goal-setting skill builds gradually through small, concrete practice — a child who's successfully set and achieved a two-week goal has more real goal-setting capability than one who's only heard inspirational "dream big" messaging without practiced structure.
Goals a child actually cares about (their own chosen skill, interest, or want) build far more genuine goal-setting engagement than goals imposed by parents, however well-intentioned — the skill transfers regardless of the specific goal's content, so following genuine interest matters more than steering toward "important" goals.