#31 - Solocast: SMART Goals, Time Matters Today Recap

S.M.A.R.T. Goals Planner FREEBIE HERE 

by Dr. Martha Kenney, creator of Time Matters Today

We are half-way through 2022, and, I have a quick question for you. Have you achieved your New Year’s resolutions? My guess is that most of you would say "no," because research shows that 80% of people abandon their New Year’s resolutions by the beginning of February. Why? Because although New Year’s resolutions may be the closest that most people will get to planning their goals in life, resolutions are more an expression of desires rather than "true goals." 

Vaguely stated goals that lack relevance to your values and are not informed by the habits that you need to achieve them are not goals but wishful thinking. 

Therefore, it is not surprising that 80% of people abandon their resolutions by February.

So, how can you make realistic and attainable goals in life? I encourage you to use the SMART goals template. SMART is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound. Setting SMART goals allows you to know exactly where you want to go, how quickly you want to get there, and how many steps it will take to get there.” - Dr. Martha Kenney, Time Matters Today

 

Click here https://www.timematterstoday.com/blog/achievingyourgoalsinlife for Dr. Kenney’s FREE downloadable template that provides specific and detailed questions for each SMART component and a goal planner that can help you clearly define your goals in life.

Understanding SMART Goals

 S – Specific

 A goal that is specific answers the 5-Ws: “who, what, where, when, and why.”

 M – Measurable

 You need criteria to determine when you have successfully achieved your SMART goal. You also should have milestones or benchmarks that can track your progress.

For instance, “I want to exercise for 30 minutes daily at least 5 times per week,” is measurable compared to “I want to exercise more.”

A – Achievable and [Audacious]

Audacious is not part of the SMART acronym but I believe it should be. Often, we think that if a goal is achievable, it shouldn’t be bold. However, a goal can be both bold and achievable. I believe that part of the purpose of making goals is to push yourself to step outside of your comfort zone and attain something that you don’t already have.

So, you don’t have to play it safe. Be bold. However, if you don’t have the resources or skills to achieve your goal, identify how you can acquire those skills and resources. Or are there mentors or colleagues or friends who can fill in the gap and provide what you are lacking in skills?  

R – Relevant

 Your goal should be important to you. Each goal should really be a component of the bigger picture of who you want to be and where you want to go either personally or professionally. And, if it is a professional goal, it should align with the bigger mission of your organization.

 T – Time-bound

 Time is finite. Therefore, we don’t have endless amount of time to achieve our goals. Therefore, your goal should have an associated deadline or timeframe that motivates you to action.

Now that you understand the SMART goals template, let me share with you some principles that can help you maximize the usefulness of SMART goals.   

Tune in as we review 7 Steps to put the SMART goals template to use and achieve your goals in life