Man Pushing Up a Line Graph

Everyone has heard of SMART Goals…

SMART goals are:

  1. Specific
  2. Measurable
  3. Attainable
  4. Realistically High
  5. Time Sensitive

Specific: Wanting to lose weight is not a goal. Wanting to lose 15 pounds is a goal. Setting a goal which is not specific immediately dooms you to failure.

Measurable: “What gets measured gets managed.” Dr. Peter Drucker. Losing 15 pounds is easily measured. Earning $10,000 more than last year is easily measured. If you pick a goal which cannot be measured, you will not know whether you achieved it or not. More importantly, if you do not measure your goal, you will not achieve it!

Attainable: Do you only weight 100 pounds? Then losing 15 is not attainable, unless a second goal is to be unhealthy. Picking impossible goals will paralyze you and instill unconquerable fear. Worse, you are setting yourself up to fail.

Realistically High: You will know a goal is attainable, but realistically high, if you must change in order to achieve it. Setting goals that you will achieve anyway will not give you an sense of accomplishment. If you will lose 15 pounds or earn $10,000 more by continuing to do what you already are, they are not good goals. Push yourself, but don’t push yourself over.

Time Sensitive: Losing 15 pounds is a good goal. Losing 15 pounds in 4 weeks is a better goal. Set times to your goals. Never leave them open ended. Know what you must do every day to achieve the goal by the time chosen.

Look at W, H and Y in Goals…

WHY specifies a goal should be:

  1. Written
  2. Harmonious
  3. Yours

Written: Write it down! Having your goals on paper forces you to look at them every day. Post them at your desk, on your wall, or on the front/garage door.

Harmonious: Wanting to be debt free before the end of the year, and wanting to purchase a new car are not harmonious goals. Any leadership book will talk about alignment. Your goals must also be in alignment with one another. Make every goal you set work together. This will also provide symmetry guaranteeing all your goals will be met.

Yours: This is the most important. If your spouse wants you to earn $10,000 more this year or lose 15 pounds you are far less likely to do it. Pick goals that you really want to ensure success. You have to want it!

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Want someone to ask about your goals?
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