So research indicates that only 8 out of 100 people who set goals actually achieve them. Why is that? Well, setting a goal is a great idea, but it’s not a set it and forget it deal. To accomplish the goals you set, you need to be smart. S-M-A-R-T, that is. SMART is the acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely.
Why Do SMART Goals Work?
SMART goals work because you are able to better manage your goals. It allows you to create a plan to organize and strategize your success. SMART goals provide valid paths to help you achieve your biggest goals. And SMART goals allow you to set clear milestones; giving you a chance to reassess and adjust your goals accordingly.
How Do SMART Goals Work?
Here’s a brief breakdown:
Set Specific Goals
When you set concrete goals, you will know exactly what you are working toward and the direction you need to go to reach your goal. When you set specific goals, specify: Who will be involved in helping you reach your goals, exactly what you want to accomplish, when you are going to reach your goals, and how you are going to make this happen.
Set Measurable Goals
Once you’ve established the who, what, when, and how you are going to accomplish your goals, determine how you will gauge your progress. Making your goals measurable allows you to know when you’ve accomplished them.
Set Attainable Goals
To increase your success, make your goals attainable. An attainable goal is one that you truly believe you can reach and have the resources available to achieve them. To determine whether the goals you’ve set are attainable, ask yourself do you have the resources to make it happen. If not, are you willing to get what you need?
Set Relevant Goals
It is important that when you set your goals, make sure that you’re choosing goals that fit you and your lifestyle. You don’t want to choose a goal out of guilt or because someone thinks it’s something you should do. If you want to be successful in reaching your goals, you must pick something that is meaningful and relevant to you.
Set Timely Goals
It is critical that you set a deadline for accomplishing your goals. Setting deadlines makes it possible to pace yourself for reaching your goals. And, when you set a deadline, your mind will begin to process reaching your goal by that time. Having a completion date attached to each of your goals will help you stay on track.
Setting SMART goals is an awesome way to ensure that you achieve the success you want in life.
Do It Now:
This exercise is geared to help you learn how to create goals using the SMART technique.
1.) Think of a goal that you previously failed to achieve in the past.
2.) Go over the SMART Goals Technique to reassess where you may have missed the mark or whether the goal was actually relevant or meaningful to you.
3.) How did you do? Is this a goal you want to pursue? Are there parts of the SMART Goals technique that you stand out to you?
