So why are SMART goals important?
Goal setting is a way to take us from where we are to where we want to be. But oftentimes, to actually set and achieve goals - we need a solid strategy.
We don't just want to talk about goals and let them float into thin air. We must take action and have something set in place to make them become a reality.
That's where SMARTER goals comes in...
You may be familiar with the acronym S.M.A.R.T. But there are a few more import letters that I'll add to this list.
Let's get to it.
Video Version:
Specific
The first step in successful goal setting is to get specific.
Let's say your goal is: "I want to lose some weight".
Read: How to Build Muscle and Lose Fat at The Same Time
Can you see the problem with it?
It isn't specific enough.
A better option would be to pick an actual number of some type. Because how do we know how much "some" is? You'll end up never really getting there because it's not definitive.
"I want to lose 30lbs of body fat."
This goal is now specific in the type of weight and the amount of weight you want to lose. See how much more powerful it is?
Measurable
This moves us nicely onto the second part. It's important to have a goal that can be measured, because without any measurements, we wouldn't have a clue how far away we are from achieving it.
Therefore, we would be plodding along and just guessing. It also allows us to make necessary changes if we aren't on track to the predicted outcome.
Action Plan
Many people will put "achievable" here, which is totally fine. However, I believe it is quite similar to the next one.
For that reason, we have gone with "action plan". It would be impossible to get to a destination of any kind without a plan to get there.
There is a possibility that it could happen, but it's not very certain.
I like to think of the action plan as the smaller goals and daily tasks. These are spread out over time and lead us to the bigger goal.
Realistic
I'm all about the big vision for the future. I believe we can all achieve great things and live a life we truly want.
Read: How to Live Life on Your Own Terms
However, there are some limitations with goals.
If you currently earn $20k per year income and you want to earn $1,000,000 per year in the next 12 months, it's not too realistic. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it will most likely take time.
The key here is to pick a goal that you actually believe you can achieve.
Having a realistic goal will keep you motivated and on course to actually achieve it.
Hopefully you're now starting to see why smart goals are important...
Timely
It's fair to say that without a time frame in mind, it may never happen.
There would be no emphasis on getting something done. We could easily make excuses and procrastinate.
The purpose of setting a goal is to move forward in life and achieve something.
It doesn't actually matter if we underestimate the time it takes. Maybe it happens 4 months later, or maybe it happens sooner!
What's important is that we can keep moving in a forward direction to the end outcome. Hence having a time frame is extremely important.
Hopefully this has answered your question "why are smart goals important?"
But before ending, I want to share the other 2 words, making it SMARTER Goals.
Emotionally Driven
A goal without a reason is just a wish.
We must try and set goals that are actually meaningful to us. Because when things get tough, if it doesn't have a big meaning behind it, we'll most likely give up.
Some questions to consider asking yourself:
- Why do you want to achieve your goal?
- What is most important to you?
- How would you feel after achieving it?
- How different would your life be once you've achieved your goal?
Relevant
It's okay to set goals for multiple areas of life, but get your priorities in order.
Are the goals you're setting actually getting you closer to your dream life, or holding you back?
It may sound obvious, but there are so many things that can cover up the truth.
Let's say you set a goal to buy a new car. But at this moment in time, you're $30,000 in debt. And if you're honest with yourself, perhaps the car isn't a necessity for you. Your long-term goal is to be financially free and live on your own terms.
It would make sense to focus on goals that are going to serve you in the long run. Maybe the car is a nice dream, but it could wait until you're in a stable financial position. That is for you to decide.
But having goals that are actually relevant to what you truly want, matters.
Conclusion
Hopefully you now have a better idea of SMARTER goals and how they can help you to live the life you want.
If you're looking to take things to the next level and want to work with a mindset coach - you can apply for a strategy call with me.