GOALS
SMART means Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-sensitive. I really like this acronym SMART, because we want to be smart when we set our goals. We want to intelligently decide
what our goals will be so that we can actually accomplish them. We want to set the goals that our heart conceives, that our
mind believes and that our bodies will carry out. Let's take a closer look at each of the components of SMART goals:
Specific: Goals are no place to waffle. They are
no place to be vague. Ambiguous goals produce ambiguous results. Incomplete goals produce incomplete futures. When we are specific, we harness the power of our dreams and set forces into action
that empower us to achieve our goals. We then know exactly what it is we are shooting for. There is no question. As we establish
our priorities and manage our time, we do so for a specific goal to achieve the results we expect. There is no wondering or
guessing. The future is locked into our minds and we see it - specifically - and that is powerful! Never underestimate just
how important it is to have very specific, concrete goals. They act as magnets that draw you toward them! A SMART goal is
specific.
Measurable: Always set goals
that are measurable. I would say "specifically measurable" to take into account our principle of being specific
as well. Our goals should be such that we know when we are advancing and by how much. Whether it is by hours, pounds, dollars
or whatever, we should be able to see exactly how we are measuring up as we proceed through the journey of life using our
goals. Could you imagine if you didn't measure your goals? You would never know which way you were going or even if you were
going anywhere! A SMART goal is measurable.
Attainable:
One of the detrimental things that many people do - and they do it with good intentions - is to set goals that are so high
they are unattainable. Yes, it is very important to set big goals that cause your heart to soar with excitement, but it is
also imperative to make sure that they are attainable. In the next section we talk about being realistic. So what does it
mean to be attainable? An attainable goal is one that is both realistic but also attainable in a shorter period of time than
what you have to work with. Now when I say attainable, I don't mean easy. Our goals should be set so they are just out of
our reach; so they will challenge us to grow as we reach forward to achieve them. After the next paragraph, I will give you
an example of a goal that is both attainable and realistic. A SMART goal is attainable.
Realistic: The root word of realistic is "real." A goal has to be something that we can
reasonably make "real" or a "reality" in our lives. There are some goals that simply are not realistic.
You have to be able to say, even if it is a tremendously stretching goal, that yes, indeed, it is entirely realistic -- that
you could make it. You may even have to say that it will take x, y, and z to do it, but if those happen, then it can be done.
This is in no way to say it shouldn't be a big goal, but it must be realistic. This is to a great degree, up to the individual.
For one person a goal may be realistic, but for another unrealistic. I would encourage you to be very honest with yourself
as you do your planning and evaluation. Perhaps it would be good to get a friend to help you (as long as that friend is by
nature an optimist and not a pessimist). This can go a long way toward helping you know what is realistic. A SMART goal is
realistic.
