Plan Smart Using S.M.A.R.T Goals.

As human beings and the journey we lead, setting goals and achieving them, is part of our everyday life.

How we handle our relationships, our business, or our health goals plays a significant role in how we live our lives.

Whether we make a conscious decision or leave the choice with the subconscious mind, we decide, prioritising is what is most important. Choose what is most important and what it is you would like to accomplish.

By not setting goals or intentions, the reality of life can become tiring, unpleasant and uncontrollable.

We become an extra in our movie, a movie that has no title or story, just a series of events that happen by accord. All accomplishments start with a goal.

So What Is S.M.A.R.T Goal Setting?

S.M.A.R.T goal setting is a method where we can introduce formation and track our goals and our desire to achieve them.

By taking out the hazy determinations, we can set S.M.A.R.T goals that create a real vision on achieving specific aspirations and get an estimated time for the plan to be reached.

All goals and intentions can be applied using the S.M.A.R.T method, bringing your dreams and aspirations closer to your physical reality.

Setting S.M.A.R.T goals can be one of the best ways to set goals in the working world but not as often used as one might think.

By getting a good idea of what it is you want to achieve, the next step is to centre in and set specific but straightforward goals. Using the S.M.A.R.T method, we can assess our intention for the goal we set.

Explaining What S.M.A.R.T Goal Setting Means.

Ok, so why don’t we set a small goal now. We can make it business-related, health-related or personal.

So when we apply the S.M.A.R.T method, we are following specific guidelines: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely.

Specific: S.M.A.RT Goals.

Ok, so we have set a specific straight forward goal, now the time has come where we need to utterly narrow in on what it is we want to achieve. The more we get a clear vision of our goal, the better.

The difference between setting goals and setting S.M.A.R.T goals is that you have more clarity on the plan you want to set.

For example, if we set a goal without using the S.M.A.R.T method, one might say “Ok, I’m going to educate myself more.”

But when using the S.M.A.R.T goal method one could say “Ok, I’m going to educate myself around the topic of Growth Mindset and by the end of September 4 weeks from now, I would have done research and finished a course I had enrolled in, then apply all I have learned then study the results.

Below is a list of question we should be asking ourselves when setting specific goals.

What is it that I genuinely want to achieve?

Who do you see by your side while you to strive to achieve your goal?

Where do you see your goal being achieved?

How exactly do you plan on achieving your goal?

When do you plan on achieving your goal? Have you set a time limit/date?

What are the limitations that I can see that will prevent me from reaching my goal?

Why precisely do I want this goal to be reached? What are the other options for achieving the same results?

Measurable: S.M.A.R.T Goals.

The next step is Measurable. By having Measurable goals, we can distinguish what it is we will feel, see and hear when we reach the time of attaining our goal.

Measurable goals go a long way in clarifying what we are aiming to achieve.

Seeing the physical signs of the goal, you make it easier to reach and also transparent.

Attainable: S.M.A.R.T Goals

So now on to Attainable. Are your goals reachable? Study whether the goal you are aiming to achieve is satisfactory for you, this is where prioritising what you want comes into play.

Put together all the things that your goal could cost you, your time, money the effort that you are willing to put into it. Also list all priorities, commitments and any other necessities you have within your life.

If after doing this, there is still a strong desire for the goal you have set, then it’s a good sign that it is satisfactory for you to reach your goal.

If for example, you don’t have the money don’t allow that particular aspect suggest to you that it cannot be done, nothing is impossible. It is achievable if we have a willingness to execute the S.M.A.R.T goals we have set in place.

Relevant: S.M.A.R.T Goals.

Is the goal you desire to achieve relevant, Do you want to run that 25-mile marathon, have the responsibility of a large company?

Only we can determine if we have the courage, will power and patience for it.

If you require more knowledge, do some research, if the goal in question needs skills different to what you already have. Book a course, read a book there is always a way of attaining what we need.

Another big question we should ask is, why do I want this? What is my why? What is the reason driving me to accomplish this goal?

Timely: S.M.A.R.T Goals.

Throughout your journey, write a descriptive plan of all the things you do. Time has a great power of pushing people to take action. Take the action needed to achieve tasks.

Set yourself deadlines, keep that vision and got for it. Be practical and adjustable by doing this, keep our spirits high.

Try not to be too harsh on yourself from the Timely viewpoint, if we do this, it can have the opposite impact, creating the journey of your learning a destructive chase for time.

Think S.M.A.R.T Think Goals.

Bringing good positive energy towards your goals will significantly do the world of good for achieving your goals.

We are what we think, so whatever we concentrate on most, increases. So dont concentrate on not doing anything because we will only get more of the same.

Begin practising the habit of self and daily discipline, stay focused and be ready to achieve your goals using the S.M.A.R.T goal setting method.

Here at Acoursewithin.com wish you the very best of luck with your journey and for your future self.

Originally published at https://acoursewithin.com on October 9, 2020.