Setting Smart GoalsSetting smart goals is an essential part of creating and maintaining your self motivation. In general, goals give you a reason to act. "SMART" is often used as an acronym to help you remember the components of effective goal setting and refers to the following elements:
What Are Smart Goals?Let’s delve into each of the elements involved in setting smart goals. Understanding each element will help you to effectively set your goals and help sustain your self motivation.SpecificWhen setting smart goals, you want to ensure that they are specific enough that you can create actionable steps to get to the goal. If you set a goal to be healthier, what exactly does that mean? Does it mean changing eating habits, exercise habits, getting more nutrients, achieving higher energy levels, etc? If it is eating habits for example, does it mean eating out less, eating more fruit and veggies, eating less fat, eating less calories, eating more healthy food, etc.Drill down until you have a very specific goal- what will you be doing, how will you do it, when will you be doing, etc. MeasurableHow will you know whether you are achieving your goal? Having specific measures for your goal help indicate your progress toward your target. At any time you should be able to determine how close you are to achieving your goal, if you haven't reached it already. Having good measures will give you feedback to know how well you are progressing, and if you need to make any adjustments to your approach.AttainableYou must be able to actually reach the goal you have set. Is it something that you see as being even possible for you do reach? Now I do believe that goals should be a stretch, possibly something you can’t currently do, but you must believe that it is something you can eventually accomplish, otherwise you lose the incentive to get started.With an unattainable goal, you may lose your motivation to keep trying when you are unable to make progress. Set goals that you have the potential to accomplish, and definitely set goals that will push your beyond your current abilities, but just make sure you at least have a possibility of attaining them. RealisticBe realistic with your expectations for your goals. You could set a goal to be a martial arts black belt- something specific, measurable, and attainable. But if you want to do it in a month, that probably is not realistic.Set high expectations for yourself, but do so in a realistic manner that doesn’t automatically set your self up for failure. Smart goal setting requires that you push yourself to achieve, but not so much that your goals become impossible. Time FrameThe last step is to set a time frame in which to achieve your goal. How much time do you expect to take to complete your goal? Some goals can be accomplished in a single day (clean your house) while others will take much longer (write a novel). Creating a time frame gives you a deadline for your goal, and helps you to manage your time better.Start with the end in mind, decide what will your the finished result look like, and then set a tentative time frame for each of the steps that you will need to take to get to your desired result. Get the steps down to the point where you can know what daily activities you need to take in order to achieve your goal. Being motivated can help you take action, but if you don't actually accomplish anything significant, you can quickly lose the incentive to keep going. Goals give a target and direction, and provide a reason to maintain or increase your level of motivation. Setting smart goals will give you the best chance to succeed in your long term aspirations. Return from Setting Smart Goals to Personal Goal Setting Return from Setting Smart Goals to Self Motivation Strategies
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