The Power of Goal Setting – Be SMART
One of the most common complaints many people have regarding goal setting is that they are too busy to find time to set goals. We are too consumed by our work and then by our responsibilities to our families that we have little time for personal enrichment of any kind. These are all valid points but if you are going to live a prosperous life you have to learn to use situations that you consider obstacles as motivation and not as excuses. As a family, we have our individual goals, our family goals, and our business goals. And they are posted inside our house so we can keep track.
At first, it was a bit awkward to share our individual goals with each other. I think it had more to do with the fear of not achieving the goal because now others know your goals and can hold you accountable. There is joy when you come together as a family and set goals and it is even more rewarding when you achieve those goals. If your goal isn’t important to you or if it’s not something you deeply desire, you probably won’t achieve it. On the other hand, if your goal means the world to you, there is no excuse on earth that can stop you from achieving your goals. Goal setting should be fun, exciting and SMART
Specific
Most people have goals to move up, earn more money, improve relationships, and the like, but these are very vague goals. To be specific, you need to include all the details of your goals. Write something like, “I will be promoted to president of my company by (date),” “I will run 5K in one hour,” or “I will grow my relationship with my spouse by going on a date every week.” Include names, position, amount, date, and anything else necessary to train your mind to start working toward that goal.
Measurable
Goals should be measurable so you can keep track of how well you’re doing. For your business or job, you can include details such as the number of hours you work, the amount you earn, the staff you manage, etc. For the goal of getting more money, you can include details like how much you want to earn, save, or how many assets and investments you want to get. Always have important points and items to measure so you can understand how close you are to achieving your goals.
achievable vs. Realistic
It’s okay to set goals that take you out of your comfort zone. Be sure to set goals that you can achieve in a given period of time, provided you have current resources and capabilities. Some goals can be achieved faster compared to others if you already have the right tools and strategies in place. Always include a strategic plan for big goals.
Limited in time
Establish “lifelines” to achieve your goals. We don’t like the word deadline, we prefer “lifeline”. Be specific when setting deadlines and times. For example, state things like “Spend at least 1 uninterrupted hour talking positively with my spouse every day starting tomorrow (state exact date).” Setting the exact time and date will prompt you to start working on your goals, instead of putting it off for another day and procrastinating. Some goals can take years to achieve, so it’s wise to break them down into smaller goals complete with life lines.
Put these strategies to work and watch yourself achieve your goals with ease. You are worthy of achieving your goals, so always remember to be SMART while achieving them.
