We all have dreams, but how many of our goals are actually realistic?
How many of you take action to make your dreams come true?
Who has never dreamed of being in shape or being financially free?
What are you doing to fulfill your dreams?
Are you creating the future you want when you set a goal?
You ultimately develop new skills and knowledge to attain your goals and take charge of your life when you have goals but are you setting achievable goals?
Thankfully there is a fantastic method for setting realistic goals – the S.M.A.R.T way! In November 1981, George T. Doran wrote an article called “There’s a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management’s goals and objectives.” The article talked about how important having objectives and setting them in a smart way was essential to reaching them. Since that paper was written, that method took the world by storm and started changing lives – and it can change yours too!
A SMART goal is defined as:
- S-pecific
- M-easurable
- A-ttainable
- R-elevant and
- T-ime-Bound
Below are explanations for each SMART goal:
S: Specific Goals
Instead of having a goal to be in shape, you need to be more specific in your goal.
Consider a goal of losing weight – instead of setting a goal to lose weight, ask yourself how are you going to do that – are you going to join a gym and work out three days a week?
Another goal example is that of being financially free -instead of planning to no longer be in debt or working, ask yourself what it means to be free and how much do you need to make to be financially free?
Studies have demonstrated that you have a higher chance of accomplishing a specific goal than if you were to set a general goal. So, be as specific as you can because it’s key to achieving your goals!
M: Measurable Goals
You need to have an objective way of measuring progress towards the attainment of your goal. Ask yourself, how will I know I have achieved my goal? If you want to start a business as a goal, you need to ask yourself what you need to start it (certifications, courses, etc.) and how much money you need to invest in the beginning.
Write down what you all need to know about starting your own business and what you need to do so and then start measuring your progress. When you measure your progress, this allows you to stay on track and to reach your target.
Shoot for the moon with your goals! When President John F. Kennedy announced that America would put a person’s safety on the moon before the end of the decade, many people thought this was impossible. To people’s amazement, Kennedy’s ambitious goal was achieved on July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon’s surface.
You may think your goals seem far away and out of reach. Your inner voice may also be telling you your dream is not possible. So many of us succumb to the dangers of limiting ourselves in our goals. Consider this inspiring quote, “Everything is impossible before it becomes possible.” How are YOU going to make your goals possible?
A: Attainable
A powerful way to attain your goals is to make them SO real to you that your narrative changes to ” I am already financially free!” instead of just saying, “I want to be become financially free.”
When you set goals that are most important to you, you activate your creative self, and in doing so, you become resourceful and begin to figure out ways to achieve your goals. You see opportunities you did not previously pay attention to, and a whole new world opens up before your very eyes! When you focus on what IS in your control, you bring yourself closer to achieving your goals.
R: Relevant
Are your goals relevant? How badly do you want to go after them? Our goals have to be related to ourselves. Ask yourself, do you really want to do this? If so, why? The motive to your goal is a drive that will help you to accomplish it.
Why do you want to be rich? Why do you want to be debt-free? Why do you want to get in shape? If the motive to accomplish any goal is aligned to your core values and passions, no matter what the obstacles are, you WILL break through them.
T: Time-Bound
A time-bound goal gives a sense of urgency, which makes you a hundred percent committed towards the achievement of your goal. When you are committed, your unconscious mind is also at work to make your goal come true. It’s incredible how powerful the mind is!
You need to set a timeframe for your goals because, without a deadline, you’re unlikely to achieve anything.
Apply the S.M.A.R.T Method and Watch Your Dreams Come True
Goal setting the S.M.A.R.T way is a dynamic process – things you never accounted for before for will suddenly present themselves when you apply this wise method.
Revisit your goals frequently and prepare yourself to make any necessary adjustments. Take time to revisit your goals as part of your plan and watch your life change!
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