How many times have you set a goal based on what someone else wanted for you? Did you choose your career, car, home or hobbies because a well-meaning person, maybe a loved one, thought it was perfect for you? How did it work out when you tried to follow someone else’s goal? Were you successful? How did you feel about it? Was the goal aligned with your true values and dreams?
When your goals are aligned with your values, something magical happens. You are inspired to take the action necessary to make them a reality. Why? Because they are about you! They represent what is most important to you. When you are inspired, you need less external motivation.Inspiration bubbles up from within and you find it takes far less effort to get into action. When was the last time you were involved in a project that you could not wait to get out of bed in the morning to get started on? Did you need motivation? Absolutely not, because you were inspired and engaged in something that was deeply connected to you.
Inspired goals need clarity. I have found the SMART method makes goal setting easier and less confusing. Check each goal against the following five points to see if it is:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time sensitive
I like to include one additional piece for goals that are SMARTY – the Y signifying you – putting you into your SMART goals. Following is a closer look at each of the aspects of SMARTY goal setting.
S – Specific — What do you want? Be specific. Is it a new home? What type? A Beach house, two story Victorian, rambling brick ranch in the country? How many bedrooms? What color? What kind of kitchen? Is there a pool? Connect with the details and write them down.
M – Measurable — How will you know when you’ve reached the goal? Is it to save $10 a week? Lose 15 pounds? Increase sales? By how much? 10 percent or $10,000? How will you measure?
A – Achievable — If you have no savings and want to be a millionaire by the end of the year, is that achievable? You may win the lottery, but a more achievable goal may be to establish a regular savings plan which is a start toward your goal of becoming a millionaire.
R – Realistic — Is the goal something you can actually do? If you’re five-feettwo- inches tall and want to become a professional basketball player, is the goal realistic? Maybe a more realistic goal is to join a league where you can enjoy the game or work out regularly to be your best and most athletic self by getting into great shape.
T – Time sensitive — When do you want to achieve the goal? Putting a deadline on your goal helps you stay on course and take action to make the goal a reality in the time allotted. Is your goal to take a trip? When will you go? Is your goal to clean out the garage? Finish a project? When?
Y – Yours! — Personalize your goals. They are about you and their achievement is for your fulfillment and happiness. They will be easier to reach when they honor who you really are.
Do you have clear goals for 2013? If you are not sure how to get started, contact me to schedule your private Discovery session now. Make 2013 your year!
Pat Morgan, MBA and professional coach, works with busy professionals to help them become more profitable and productive by capitalizing on their strengths and taking focused action to create powerful change.
Call her at 305-458-2849, email PatMorgan@SmoothSailingSuccess.com or visit her website at ww.SmoothSailingSuccess.com
