SMART Goals and Self-Remembering
By Audrey Seymour
If you find yourself falling short of your goals, it’s time to first
shoo out the inner critic and then examine how you frame the goals themselves.
One wonderful system I learned in “the old days” that continues
to be popular is the SMART goal system. A SMART goal
is one that is Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Time-related.
How specific are your goals? Notice the difference
between “I’d like to make more money in 2006” and
“I’d like to increase my consultant rates by 25% and enroll
5 new clients each month.” Goals serve as an organizing principle
when you prioritize your time, and the more specific your goals are
the clearer your choices will be.
Are your goals measurable? If not, how will you know
whether you’ve met them or not? Measurement doesn’t have
to be about numbers, since a goal could be attaining the quality of
life described as "feeling caught up with yourself" as opposed
to "constantly on overwhelm." It’s important to choose
a style of measurement that captures the essence and purpose of each
goal. Many people make the mistake of framing their goals in a way that
feels dry and limiting rather than supportive and inviting.
For example, in the case above one might decide that journaling on
a weekly basis would bring the desired quality of life. The goal could
be stated as “I spend an hour each week journaling” or “I
fill three pages in my journal each week” or “I feel caught
up with myself.” Listen for that spark of “Yes!” inside
that indicates you’ve made a frame that inspires you.
It goes without saying that any goal you set needs to be actionable
based on your own efforts and available resources. A goal of winning
the lottery would not be in this category! At the same time, allow yourself
to stretch to a goal that might feel out of reach but not completely
out of sight.
A goal is realistic when it fits smoothly into the
larger picture of your life. Does this goal further your vision for
your life or would it be a distraction? Is it compatible with the other
goals and time commitments in your life? Is it flexible enough to allow
for the unexpected?
If the answer isn’t clear when you ask these questions, another
good test of the realistic requirement is to notice how you feel when
you state the goal out loud. Does your life feel expanded into a more
attuned and fulfilling shape, or does it feel more complicated and cumbersome?
Is there excitement pushing up underneath any resistance, or does a
cloud constrict your heart?
The time-related aspect boils down to “by when”
or “how often” or “over what time period.” A
SMART goal is anchored in time so that it does not drift away in the
face of competing demands. Yet it is important to design this aspect
of a goal in balance with the other factors above and what you know
about yourself.
Do you have a non-negotiable time deadline and a "million things
to do" but feel overwhelmed and want to avoid the whole thing?
Then it might be time to revisit what really needs to be done. If you
had a broken leg and had no choice but to cut back, what would remain
as the top priority? Explore where you could get some breathing room
so that your health doesn't have to suffer before you scale back.
Perhaps you have an open-ended goal and find yourself unmotivated without
the rush of a tight deadline. Reframe your goal by designing an accountability
structure.
In their highest form, goals are nothing more than self-remembering
tools which are dynamic and alive. As your outer actions integrate more
directly with your deeper callings, it becomes easier to stay on track
with a light and playful touch no matter how much structure you design.
© 2006-2008 Audrey Seymour. All rights reserved.
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