Setting "SMART" Goals

Why is it important to set goals?
Goals allow us to stay focused on what we are committed to achieve.
Setting goals connects us to our dreams for better jobs, homes and material items, relationships and connection in the world.
When you set and achieve a goal you tell yourself “you deserve it and you are worth it”.
Setting and achieving goals shows others that you are serious about the life you live.
Achieving goals allows you to build self esteem and fuels your passion in life.

Setting SMART goals is the best way to stay on track with a goal. Many people have set goals only to find out that they were really just a hope, wish or want and because they were not realistic they did not work. Once they do not work most people will say “see what is the point of setting a goal?” then they quit setting goals all together. When you set a SMART goal it supports you in being specific. Thus creating a space for you to really win with your goals.

SMART Goals

• Specific – This means get very specific with what you are going after. Example is do not just write “I want to buy a house”. Write specific details about the house you want. “I want a two story, five bedroom house on ten acres of land in city and state.” The more specific you are the less likely you will feel like you settled for less down the road. And being specific helps you really see what you want.

• Measurable – This means that there must be a way to measure the accomplishment of the goal you set. How do you measure a goal like “I have a #10 relationship with my spouse” verses “I have published my first book”? To publish a book is easy to measure because you can have the book in hand. Measuring a relationship can be done and you really have to put some creative thinking into measuring it. You want to allow others to hold you accountable to your goals, so measuring the goal is important in the success process.

• Attainable – This is something that many people may not pay much attention to. If you are over 25 and 5’10” tall setting a goal like I will be 6’tall in 1 month is not likely to ever happen. This is not something that is attainable. We can not change out height! So really paying attention to what you goals are and how attainable they are is key to setting successful goals. “I have released 20 pounds in 60 days” is something that is attainable.

• Risk Taking – You want to set goals that have some level of risk for yourself. When you set a goal without a risk behind it there is less of a sense of accomplishment. Putting risk behind a goal can keep you in tune with why the goal is important. You can ask yourself “if I tell someone about my goal is there a feeling they will not like it, support it or judge me?” This is a great indicator if there is a risk behind the goal. If you answer yes then it is likely you feel there is risk in setting and telling others about your goal.

• Timely – Setting goals with a specific time frame on them puts more edge to achieving them. I am committed to reaching goal A by specific date and time. Is a specific step in achieving the goal. Setting a time frame allows others to hold you accountable and you to hold yourself accountable. You will stay more focused on the impending event and more likely to reach the goal.

Big goals are great! Underneath every big goal is a lot of mini goals. You can make a Big Goals list and then break them down into smaller goals. Some examples would be: Buying a house – you may need to clear up credit score, start a saving account or decide where you want to live. So break the big goals down and then they do not feel so overwhelming and out of reach.

Lastly, make sure you let other people know about the goals you have set. As humans we are usually much more accountable to others than we are to ourselves. We are more likely to let ourselves of the hook for not reaching our goals. Yet when we know about others goals we will watch to see if they get them. Tell people what your goals are. Put them before yourself at work. Hang your goals somewhere you will see them everyday. Put them where others can see them. Display your goals at the office, in your bedroom or on your car dash. Where ever it is that you can see so you will stay in tune with what you set out to accomplish.

You can also hire an accountability partner. If you do not feel someone around you could hold you to what you set your goals to hire some support. An accountability coach will have great tools to support you in reaching your goals. They can be a great asset to get you started in your new goals setting and achieving life!