Aim For S.M.A.R.T. Goals For 2009!
Read More: S.M.A.R.T. Goals. S.M.A.R.T. means Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-sensitive.
I really like this acronym S.M.A.R.T., because we want to be smart when we set our goals. We want to intelligently decide what our goals will be so that we can actually accomplish them. We want to set the goals that our heart conceives, our minds believe and that our bodies will carry out. Let's take a closer look at each of the components of S.M.A.R.T. goals:
Specific: Goals are no place to waffle. They are no place to be vague. Ambiguous goals produce ambiguous results. Incomplete goals produce incomplete futures.
Measurable: Always set goals that are measurable. I would say "specifically measurable" to take into account our principle of being specific as well.
Attainable: One of the detrimental things that many people do - and they do it with good intentions - is to set goals that are so high they are unattainable.
Realistic: The root word of realistic is "real." A goal has to be something that we can reasonably make "real" or a "reality" in our lives. There are some goals that simply are not realistic. You have to be able to say, even if it is a tremendously stretching goal, that yes, indeed, it is entirely realistic -- that you could make it. You may even have to say that it will take x, y, and z to do it, but if those happen, then it can be done. This is in no way to say it shouldn't be a big goal, but it must be realistic.
Time: Every goal should have a time frame attached to it. I think that life itself is much more productive if there is a time frame connected to it. Could you imagine how much procrastination there would be on earth if people never died? We would never get "around to it." We could always put it off. One of the powerful aspects of a great goal is that it has an end, a time in which you are shooting to accomplish it. You start working on it because you know there is an end. As time goes by you work on it because you don't want to get behind. As it approaches, you work diligently because you want to meet the deadline. You may even have to break down a big goal into different parts of measurement and time frames. That is okay. Set smaller goals and work them out in their own time. A S.M.A.R.T. goal has a specific timeline.
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About the Author: Jenny Wudtke
Member Since: 08/21/2008
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Thanks for the acronym to help me produce great goals this year!
I have some really specific goals in mind for the year that are entirely do able, and will set me up for my 2 year walk away residual 6 figure income goals. I'll chunk them down into weekly, monthly, quarterly and 12 month goals, and with the help of the mastermind will fine tune them and tweak them into reality! We need to plan that cruise vacation for this year dear! Love you family!
I did this as a teacher.
SMART was our acronym for setting goals in the classroom. It is worth remembering that goals are larger targets, generally longer term.
When you get to the R=realistic, that's where you set your objectives - the steps to reach your goals. This is where the rubber hits the road and allows you to decide what steps are required to reach the goal and when they can be done. Objectives are the stepping stones to your goals.
Thanks for a great post!
Toña
Simple is Always Best!
Goal setting need not be complicated when one follows your SMART method of goal planning. Thanks for the great information you provide for us!