SMARTER Goals
Maybe you've heard of SMART goals, but have you heard of SMARTER goals?
Here are some considerations to help you make a change stick...
Specific - I must be very clear on what exactly it is that I want to accomplish. Why? Because how will I know if I've achieved my goal unless I know what my goal is to begin with? I need to get as detailed as I can around what it is that I want for myself.
Measurable - this overlaps with being specific. What exactly will I need to have accomplished so that I'll know when I've achieved it. The clearer I can get around making my goal measurable - the easier the goal will be to attain. What does it look like? What does it feel like?
Action plan - what are the steps that I'll need to take in order to achieve this goal? Where do I begin? Sometimes it's helpful to begin at the end of the goal and work backwards from there. Or to study people who have already attained the goal that I want for myself, and model my action plan after theirs. This way I'm not reinventing the wheel, and I can learn from any mistakes others may have made along the way.
Realistic - is my goal actually possible? Many people want to fly to the moon, or become Olympic athletes, but it may not be physically, financially, or legally possible. Although it can be a good thing to not take no for an answer, it is healthy to recognize where my limitations may lie and to work with them as opposed to against them.
Timely - when would I like to achieve this goal by? Do I have a time frame? Is there a deadline? Without this crucial aspect of goal setting, it can be easy for my goal to fall by the wayside, or spend longer than necessary for persuing my goal.
Emotional motivation - goals can be far more easily achieved when they are fuelled by Passion or Joy. Without strong emotional motivation even the most necessary goals can quickly and easily turn into a chore and lead to procrastination.
Relevant - it's important to ensure that my goal is in line with my values, purpose, vision and mission, and not simply a distraction or in conflict with any other goals I may have.
