Are You Setting SMART Goals?
Setting goals is a great way to get you where you want to go in life, to help you live your true purpose. That is because creating goals makes you focus your attention and resources on what is most important to your true you so that you can successfully live your best life. So it is important to be SMART about it! π
However, most of us donβt set them realistically… or regularly…
Weβll make New Yearβs resolutions that we soon forget about. We announce we are going to lose x amount of pounds, then disregard it the very next week. We decide to learn something new, then get too busyβ¦
Do you ever feel like you are working hard to never get anywhere? That when you set goals, you never ever reach them? Like you are coasting through life, too busy to get to what matters most to you?
Than this post is for you! I know, because I was there.
Until I learned about SMART goals. And Iβm going to share about them here – so keep reading!
What Are SMART Goals?
Learning to set goals that you can reach and are aligned with your core values is a skill, something that takes conscious effort.
Setting SMART goals means you can clarify your ideas and focus your efforts as well as guide your use of time and your resources productively in order to highly increase your chances of achieving your true purpose in life.
To help with this process, in the November 1981 issue of Management Review, George T. Doran shared what would become an invaluable tool used by many to create SMART goals.
They are 5 simple steps to creating achievable goals that you will actually stick to.
When you are writing your goals down, take the time to run each goal past these 5 questions:
1. Specific β Is your goal clear and specific?
Goal example 1β This year I want to heal. This goal is too broad, you will loose interest and there is no focus here, it is not specific β what do you want to heal? When and how? It can make a great intention, but it is not a good goal.
Goal example 1 Rewrite β This month I want to learn how to journal to begin my healing journey, starting today and spending 15 minutes each morning thereafter journaling. See the difference?
2. Measurable β Can you track the progress of your goal? This will help you stay motivated, as yourself if the goal is attainable? You will want to answer how often you will do this and how you will know when it is accomplished.
Goal example 1 Rewrite β this is measurable by intending to start today and spend 15 minutes each morning thereafter for this practice. Make sense?
3. Achievable β How can you accomplish this goal? Is this goal realistic?
Goal example 1 Rewrite β this is achievable by committing 15 minutes each day to this practice. You realistically examined your day and where you invest your time and created a realistic space for you to achieve it in.
4. Relevant β Does this goal really matter to you? Is it aligned with your other goals, your values, your beliefs?
Goal example 1 Rewrite β this is relevant because our intention is to heal this year. This is a step towards that, one goal that will help us reach our true selves.
5. Time-Bound β When will you accomplish the goal? What can you do today, tomorrow, in 6 weeks, in 6 months? Learn more about leveraging your time here.
Goal example 1 Rewrite β we state that we want to do this practice for 1 month, daily for 15 minutes. It is important to be this specific.
Using these 5 steps as you set each goal encourages you to open your mind, focus deeply and create a space for you to really get on a conscious path to achieving all that you are meant too.
Cheers,
Malibu Mama Loves Xx