Smart, SMART Goal Setting

I first came in contact with SMART goal setting when I was working in the corporate world – and have used this method for setting goals consistently for a while now.

SMART goal setting is a great way to create goals and is really a checklist that you can go through to get your goals in place.   Briefly, here is an explanation of how it works:

S – Specific

What is it that you want to achieve, and can it be broken down into smaller, even more specific goals??

M – Measurable

How will you know when you have achieved your goal – how will you measure successful completion

A – Achievable or Attainable

Is your goal realistically achievable in view of your commitments and available time, capabilities and resources

R – Relevant

Does the goal take into account other demands on your time, energy and resources, and any other commitments you have?  Does it benefit others as well as yourself?

T – Timely

When do you want to achieve your goal?   “Goals without deadlines are just wishes”.  Deadlines create focus and motivation.

This is a logical and sensible approach in setting and achieving goals and for most people this is a great and powerful tool to use.

Do you think that Richard Branson, Kerry Packer or Donald Trump used SMART goal setting to create their empires?

I hadn’t thought about this much until recently when I was chatting with a beautiful friend about what was going on in our lives – where we wanted to be in a couple of years time yada yada – and she started talking about her dreams – what she really really wanted to do over the next couple of years and it was as though she was possessed by another amazing positive spirit.

Listening to her talk about her plans and how many people she was going to help to lead better more fulfilling lives and feeling her burning desire to achieve her dreams was awe inspiring!

So, while her goal is Specific – in a big picture kind of way, and measurable to a certain extent – she will know when she has achieved it, as will all the people who benefit from it – it is not responsible or time-bound.  She is not clear about any of the ‘hows’ required to achieve her goal – but she is open and ready to accept any assistance from any sources and is prepared to take action every day towards her goal – what ever it takes.

Feeling the joy and the excitement of  achieving the goal – waking up everyday thinking about that feeling and asking your ‘God’;  ‘Source’; ‘The Universe’ for guidance along the way, is to me the most powerful checklist for achieving those big hairy audacious goals!!

If you enjoyed this post feel free to share it with anyone and, if you have successfully used SMART goal setting by all means leave a comment below

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