How to Become SMARTER with Your Goal Setting

How to Become SMARTER with Your Goal Setting

Setting goals is a huge event in January.  It's the time of year you make a list of all the wonderful things you want to accomplish in the next 365 days.  It's the year to lose weight, quit smoking, be more active, or finally travel to that dream destination.  But, if you're that person who had those same goals last year and maybe even the year before, then this is the post for you.

When setting goals, the common acronym is SMART which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time.  Developed by George T. Doran, it has been the "goal-d" standard since 1981.  When I first tried using this system, I found myself arguing with Achievable and Relevant.  Of course my goals were Achievable and Relevant otherwise I would have chosen different ones!

I am reminded of the story as told by Dean Kamen, (arguably the Nikola Tesla of our day but wealthier), about his dream to one day have a house with a garage for his helicopter.  As he was just a kid at the time, his teacher was convinced such a dream was "Unachievable".  Years later, he proved her wrong.  Who is qualified to tell us our dreams are unreasonable or irrelevant?

How do I go from where I am to where I want to be?

Setting SMARTER goals.

1. Set the goal and be specific. Include why achieving this goal is so important to you.

2. Map it out. Create an action plan and track your progress in a journal. Just like breaking up a long journey with pit stops, break up your large goal into several milestones and the directions required to achieve each. Anticipate roadblocks and detours and write down how you will deal with each one. Seeing your progress is a great motivator and should limit the “Are we there yet?” mentality.

3. Adapt. If you are lacking certain skills that you require to achieve your goal, learn them. Develop positive habits that will contribute to your success. Be coachable and willing to change as needed.

4. Resources. Research and take advantage of every resource around you. The most important resources are often the people you associate with. Spend time with mentors and people who will help you achieve your goal. Networking is an important tool in your goal kit.

5. Time management. Set a timetable of when you want to achieve each milestone and use your time wisely. Develop your time management skills to maximize your efforts. Don't delay starting because you don't have your perfect plan. Take action NOW and develop your perfect plan along the way.

6. Enjoy the journey. Even if you don’t get the results in the timeframe you’ve set, endure to the end with gratitude. A positive attitude reduces stress and helps you stay motivated.

7. Remember. Review your goal and action plan daily. Make adjustments as you gain more experience. People who review their goals frequently are more likely to achieve them. And most importantly, REMEMBER to consult with the Lord from beginning to end. When you involve the Lord in your endeavors, you are far more likely to succeed.

If you love this system and want to share it, ensure you credit my name. If you find the SMARTER system doesn't work for you as is, feel free to make some changes. And if you'd like help in working out your career or financial goals for 2023, contact me at support@moneymakeovers.ca.

The opinions expressed in this blog are my own and do not reflect WFG or any other organization. I also claim any errors made as my own. To offer corrections or feedback, please contact me. Sincerely, Tina Michelle Moller