One of the most crucial steps to living an intentional life is setting goals. What is the difference between the person who creates success through setting and achieving goals and those that seem to set the same goals year after year with little to no success? The ability to set and achieve your goals effectively is a skill. The process to setting goals can be learned, developed maybe even perfected. Let’s talk first about how to set goals effectively that actually propel us toward the lives we dream of.
How to Set Goals Effectively
What do you want?
Have you seen this famous clip from the movie, The Notebook?
So, what do you want? What are you daydreaming about during that staff meeting? What do you dream about when you are laying down at night? You know…that life you’re sure you could reach if you just had a little more time or a lot more courage.
Or maybe it’s more about what you don’t like about your current situation? What would you change? What would you say no to if you thought you had the option?
Be specific. More money? Healthier body? Stay at home with your kids? Own your own business? Promotion at the office? Vacations?
Now that you recognize what it is that you want, let’s set some goals.
S.M.A.R.T.
George T. Doran created the S.M.A.R.T. acronym and it was first written down in 1981. When setting your goal to reach that dream you determined it Step 1, it must be…
Specific – Your goal should be specific and not too vague.
Measurable – You need to be able to track your progress so make sure your goal is measurable.
Attainable – Ambition is good but make sure you are setting yourself up for success and not failure. Is this goal truly attainable?
Relevant – Is this goal relevant to the objective you made in step 1? If you reach this goal, are you closer to the dream you created earlier? If the answer is no? This goal is not relevant.
Time-Bound – When will you achieve this goal? Setting a time frame creates accountability and requires action immediately.
Take the time required for steps 1 and 2. Correcting a goal later that didn’t match your objective will require much more effort than taking the time now to make sure you have a S.M.A.R.T. goal.
Actionable Steps
Here is where the rubber meets the road. What are the steps necessary to achieve your goal?
Your steps should include daily habits, weekly to do lists, monthly check-ins, etc. For the lucky few, maybe their goals just seem to happen but for the majority of us that won’t be the case.
Consistency with our actionable steps will be our only path to success.
Plan it!
This is my favorite step! Grab one of these cute planners and create a plan with those actionable steps. What is the first step you’re taking tomorrow?
Write it down. Keep it close. Your plan doesn’t have to be elaborate. It can be one simple step a day for an entire month. Then add a few steps the next month. Progress over perfection here. Just keep moving forward.
Evaluate.
Repeat this step often. Ask yourself these questions.
How should things look differently in a month?
What should I have achieved in 3 months?
Are my actionable steps moving me toward my goals?
Do my goals still align with my dreams?
Are my dreams the same or have they evolved into something different?
Life is changing constantly and so are we. Give yourself permission to adjust where necessary without feelings of guilt or discouragement. Change is inevitable and good actually. It means we are learning and evolving. Yay for us!
My friend Cassie at Sunday Mimosas is sharing great insight on how to achieve your best life. From home tips, life hacks, budgeting, personal growth and more you are sure to find great advice to help you continue this journey in setting and achieving your goals. Here are a few of her posts on how to boost productivity!
10 Best Productivity Tips for Working From Home
7 Life-Changing Productivity Hacks
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Have a FABULOUS day my beautiful friends!!
Jess
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