A Pathway to Transformation
In the world of personal growth and self-development, cultivating a positive mindset is absolutely critical – it’s step one! A mindset that embraces growth, grit, resilience and discipline is the base of our success. But as E.M. Tiffany says in the FFA Creed, thoughts will only get us so far. It is only through action that the life we dream of becomes a reality.
Once we have the right mindset, and understand the importance of action, we are left with one more and very important step: focus! In order to create the life we want to live, we have to align our mindset and action with a solid goal.
To create a goal that aligns with our mission and desires, we have to break it down into smaller pieces. Thankfully, that is where SMART Goals come into play. SMART is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
If you don’t have good goals, it will feel like shooting an arrow at a target- but you’re blindfolded, facing the wrong way, and the target is 3 feet underground!
The SMART Goal framework was designed to give organizations and individuals a starting point to create goals that will actually be reached. Continue reading to learn how to create amazing SMART Goals for yourself or your organization!
What are SMART Goals?
The SMART Goal framework, created 1981 by George T. Doran, is used to create sturdy goals that are rooted in purpose and reality. Lots of goals that are created are loose and “up in the air” which leads to confusion, and goals left unreached.
The SMART Goal framework helps us create goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Bound.
This framework, as outlined below, can be used by groups or individuals to create goals that can be achieved!
Specific:
The first step to creating a SMART Goal is to make it specific. Leave ambiguity to the side. Articulate EXACTLY what it is that you would like to achieve. Clarity will allow us to stay dedicated and focus our efforts towards our desired outcomes.
Measurable:
Next up, we need to be able to measure it somehow. What gets measured gets managed, so the more metrics you can come up with to determine success, the better! By measuring our progress we will be able to make adjustments, celebrate milestones, and stay motivated along the way.
Achievable:
Setting goals that are achievable is critical for building confidence and maintaining momentum. To be clear, this isn’t an opportunity to make the goal “easier” or under-sell yourself. It’s a chance to take a deep dive and think “what do I REALLY think we can do here?”
As a “pro tip”, if your main goal is LARGE, split it up into smaller, consecutive goals. How does a man move mountains? By carrying one, small rock at a time.
Relevant:
Creating goals that are related to each other (or at least distant cousins) is important as well. Relevant goals help us prioritize our efforts and ensures that we are investing our time, energy, and resources effectively.
Creating goals that are relevant to our personal and professional growth will create a sense of meaning and purpose that fuels our passion and resilience.
Time-Bound:
Setting a dead-line is probably the most important step in setting a goal. How many times have you waited for the last second to finish a project? What if that project didn’t have a deadline? Would it have EVER gotten done?
This time frame will maintain a sense of urgency and fight off procrastination. A time-bound deadline will help us prioritize our actions and allocate resources effectively.
Example SMART Goals:
Mental Health (Self-Care):
Practice self-care by engaging in at least 30 minutes of mindfulness meditation every morning.
Wealth (Paying off Debt):
Pay off $5,000 of credit card debt by February 3rd.
Relationship (With Your Kids):
Spend quality time with each child individually for at least 30 minutes every day.
SMART Goals provide a structured and effective method to personal and professional growth and achievement. By utilizing this framework, you and/or your organization will be empowered and gain clarity, focus, and maintain motivation as you move down the road towards your desired outcome.
At Within Range Life Coaching, we specialize in helping our clients break past their barriers and achieve their goals so they can live a life worth remembering. CLICK HERE to learn more about our “Ambitious and Aligned” coaching program! Fill out the form below and learn how we can help you achieve your full potential.