SMART people have SMART goals, and by extension are definitely being clever.
Goals are ultimately at the centre of all personal and business success, but they not enough.
Firstly for a goal to be SMART it needs to be
Specific
Measurable
Aligned with your values
Realistic
Timebound
I am sure you are familiar with the acronym SMART, so a goal such as “ I have a €5m turnover business generating a €500,000 profit annually by the 31st December 2015” definitely meets the criteria, doesn’t it?
It is definitely specific and measurable but the key question is whether this is aligned with your own values. Whilst profit is the lifeblood of all businesses it may not be one of your core values. In other words in fulfilling the goal will you be truly satisfied or are there other values you hold more important like teamwork, quality, leadership, or innovation?
What is the point in having a goal of great financial wealth if that is not a driving force for you or for your business.
Is the goal realistic, I guess only you can decide that but you must take in to account your starting point. Setting unrealistic goals from the outset can be counterproductive. Stretch yourself absolutely but not beyond a point of realism.
Finally as Brian Tracy would say “a goal without a deadline is just a dream”. Set a date and use this as a motivating factor to get you moving and put your plans in to action.
I have specifically framed the goal in both the personal sense and in the present tense. This is a powerful method and will get you to think and act as if you have already achieved the goal.
Practice the skill of writing your goals daily. Use action terms to give them more meaning for example “I am exceeding my sales target by 20% by 31st December 2010”. Reinforce them by visualising them as already achieved to really let them resonate for you.
Now that you have completed the easy bit you need to refer to my other article on the GOSPA model for really working through your goals to completion.
Writing them is the easy bit now you have to really work hard to convert them in to tangible achievement. The GOSPA model is a great way of straining your goals to really break them down in to the day to day activities you need to accomplish your objectives. This is the really tough part, the hard graft.
All too often people falter at the first hurdle and give up. Don’t. Just keep on trying, pushing and taking one step closer daily to achieving your overall vision.
Who said being SMART was easy? It isn’t but it certainly is clever!.
Best of luck.
