Be SMART About Your Goals

If your answer was yes, my second question is: Are you being S.M.A.R.T. about your goal? A few years ago, I was looking through the workbook of a program entitled "TOPUCU" (The Only Person U Cheat Is U) and I stumbled upon an effective, simplistic, method to create and be accountable for your own goals. That information was so effective for me that I always feel the need to pass it on to whomever can benefit from its use. Its one thing to come up with a goal, but it's an entirely different thing to be effective in completing your goals. S.M.A.R.T. goals is a sure way to accomplish that task. Obviously, S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym but it’s also mnemonic, which means it’s designed to aid in memory to make easier to complete the task. It stands for:

• Specific

• Measurable

• Achievable

• Results-Focused

• Time-Bound

These principles have helped me to zero in on my goals and see them through to fruition. I’m going to run down what they are and how to use them and maybe they can help do the same for you.

Specific | When creating a goal, it helps to be "Specific" about it, instead of having a General Goal. An example of a General Goal could be: I want to start working out.

Well, if I said that on Jan. 1, 2022 and by Aug. 30, 2022 I had only worked out four times, then technically I accomplished my goal. 😁 However, it becomes "Specific" when I state my goal as: I will work out at the gym three days of every week this month.

Measurable | It also helps to make sure your goals are "Measurable". A General Goal could be: I'm going to lose weight this year. If you lost half a pound, you will have technically accomplished your goal, but is that really what you had in mind?

A Measurable Goal would be different: I will lose 5 lbs by the end of the month. By me making a "Measurable Goal" I can now keep track of my progress. At any time I can see how near or far I am from accomplishing the goal, and if I exceeded the challenge I set for myself.

Achievement | Your goals have to be "Achievable"! Sometimes we can be a bit gung-ho and state a goal that sets us up for failure before we start because -- in reality -- the bar is too far or high for us to reach.

Once, while I was teaching the S.M.A.R.T. goals concept in my "P.I.L.L.A.R.S. of Life" group, a young man stated that his goal was to have a million dollars by the end of the year. That’s a pretty ambitious goal, especially for someone who’s incarcerated. He couldn't even come up with a logical way to obtain it. Instead of a goal, that was more like wishful thinking. And so it is with those of us who just throw words out there and call them goals without a realistic plan of action. An "Achievable Goal" must be something that, with the right skills, knowledge, or ability, you can attain. If you don’t yet have these things at the time you set target, then part of your plan to achieve your goal should be to include the time and resources necessary to obtain them.

Results-Focused | The "Results-Focused" part of your SMART goal pinpoints the reason for the goal in the first place. It is my opinion that this should always line up with your overall purpose. This aspect of the goal is the real target you intend to hit.

Are you losing that weight to be in the best physical health possible or just to fit in a new outfit at the end of the month?

Do you want to save money monthly so you can buy the latest gadget or do you need a new computer for the business of your dreams? Or money to retire from working? What is your Big Picture?

Time-Bound | The last principle -- but far from the least important -- is to have a goal that is "Time-Bound". If you are anything like me, you'll probably procrastinate if you know (or think) you have more time to complete your goal. Putting that time-frame on your goals will give you that sense of urgency that's needed to accomplish the goal within a window. This is why a 3-day, 2-week, 30-day, or more time-frame should be attached to the goal you intend to accomplish.

As I've stated previously, utilizing the "S.M.A.R.T. Goals" has helped me tremendously with creating and fulfilling my goals. For instance, I'm on my 3rd or 4th year of my "S.M.A.R.T. Goal" of consistently exercising at least 3 times every week.

The reason I first created my goal was because of my lack of consistency. I would workout for a few months and then stop for a few weeks. It just wasn't consistent enough. And me being consistent with exercise is a part of the "Vision" I have for myself. I want to remain as healthy as I can even as I age.

So I needed to be "Specific" in what I wanted to accomplish. I came to the conclusion that a goal of exercising at least three days a week would help me succeed. Now, for the first year at least, I did exercise just three days. However, the last 2 years I have generally worked out Mon.-Fri. But the point I want to highlight here is that my "Specific Goal" was simply 3 days a week. Anything else is just a bonus.

The process of measuring my progress became simple. I knew for instance that if I missed a Monday and Tuesday workout for whatever reason, I still had five more days to see to it that I met the goal. Which is why I can now say that I've been successful with this goal for 3 plus years; I'm able to measure my progress.

There was no doubt in my mind that this goal was "Achievable". How did I know it was "Achievable" because I'd done it before! I just needed to commit to myself and hold myself accountable.

The "Results-Focused" part of my goal is the "Vision" for myself that I spoke of. My exercising regularly will help me remain healthy.

My exercise goal is one that is ongoing. But the "Time-Bound" aspect for me is a renewed commitment to my goal each work to work out at least 3 times within every rolling 7 days.

But working out is just one of the many goals I've accomplished consistently since I've embraced this method of goal setting.

So if you don't have a current goal -- create one! After all, "The most important thing about goals is having one." -- Geoffrey F. Albert

Be smart about your goals and create a S.M.A.R.T. goal. I'm pretty confident that it will work for you...or you'll get your money back. 😁

Much Love,

Soul