I know, it’s not January yet, so why am I writing about goals? First of all, the notion that we should wait until New Year’s to come up with some new goals is nonsense. New Year’s resolutions aren’t new goals anyway. They are simply the goals we never achieved earlier this year.
There are many reasons why we don’t achieve our goals. Probably a lot more why we don’t than why we do. The simple fact is that most goals are not met because we didn’t put enough thought into the goal itself or even if we did have a good goal, we didn’t have anyone hold us accountable to do it.
Many of you have probably seen this before but it is a good reminder of how to set a goal that can be achieved. It is known as SMART goal setting. Yes, this is yet another acronym that will change our lives. Well it can if you follow through. Here it is:
SPECIFIC
Make your goal specific. Getting in better shape is not a goal. Eating better is not a goal. Be very intentional on exactly what you want to accomplish. The key to succeeding in a goal depends on the effort that we put into defining it and the development of a plan that will work.
MEASURABLE
Make it measurable. “I am going to lose 20 pounds.” “I am going to go to the gym four times a week.” These are very specific and can be measured very simply and accurately.
ACHIEVABLE
Make your goal something you can actually achieve. Goals are great and we all need them, but if they are unattainable, our probability of success will make it difficult to be successful.
REALISTIC
Make your goals realistic. If you make fifty thousand dollars a year and owe two hundred thousand dollars on your house, paying it off this year is not realistic. Making double payments is probably a much more realistic goal.
TIME-BOUNDED
Put a time limit on your goal. It makes it much easier to make sure you are on schedule to achieve your goal. How can you really be successful at reaching your goal if there is no deadline for it.
I know this is not rocket science but look, if you really want to accomplish your goals, utilize the SMART process and find someone to hold you accountable.
My encouragement for you today is to not wait until January 1st to set a goal. Just think what you could accomplish before then with a little effort.
***********************************************************************
Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.
Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page
Barry Smith www.buildingwhatmatters.com 10/23/12 photo by author
