SMARTER Goal setting

Most people have heard of SMART goal setting. Now I bring you SMARTER goal setting. This is a little extra on the end to Evaluate and Review.

I’ll go through them all just so we’re on the same page…

S is for Specific

The more specific the goal is, the better chance of it being reached. This means that you don’t just say you want to make more money or lose more weight, you have to say exactly how much money you want to make or how much weight you want to lose. You have to put a real and exact figure on it. Make it measurable. eg. To loose 10kg in 10 days.
This is important because when the goal is obscure, your mind will override your goals. Specific goals will fuel the mind and spur it on. Don’t be afraid to be too specific.

M is for Meaningful

This is the “why” in goal setting. This is the “get you up and get results” strategy. When a goal has a deep enough meaning to you, you’ll do whatever it takes to achieve them.

A is for Achievable

The art of this one is to make sure it is achievable, however, for it to be a goal, it also needs to push you a bit. Some people are of the thought that you can accomplish whatever you want, when you want it. When setting short term goals, its important to make sure they are achievable. If you’ve never made more then $100k in a year, then don’t go for the million! It’s the achievement of the smaller goals that builds momentum to achieve the bigger goals.

R is for Relevant

This one is a big one as if its not relevant, then its unlikely to be done. The reason for this is conflict between the goal and your core values and what you really want out of life
You have to really dig deep inside to understand what you really want out of life. If one of your core values is freedom, then having a goals that keep you office bound will not help one bit. There will be conflict and frustration. Setting goals that are in harmony with your core values will bring results.

T is for Time bound

Ensure your goals have a time limit on them. You need to have a date these goals will be achieved on. Work on 3 month intervals. If its to loose 60kgs in a year, then 15kgs every 3 months makes it much more achievable.
When your goals are time bound, they are also measurable. You can check you progress daily, weekly, monthly. Without making them time-bound, you will not be able to see your progress.

E is for Evaluate

Evaluate you goals on a daily basis, not weekly or monthly, but daily basis. With goals that are set for 3 months or 6 months it is easy to loose track and fall behind. Then comes the problem of catching up etc.
Set up a schedule to look at your goals on a daily bases, this will allow you to keep on top of the progress.

R is for Readjust

This is about your approach to achieving your goals. If you keep finding that there are hiccups or walls to achieve your goal, then a new approach is necessary. You’ll only be aware of this, and therefore able to change if you’re keep track of your progress.
As a plane flies from Sydney to Perth, the navigation system is constantly checking the progress and adjusting the flight so that it will land at Perth, not in Darwin if there’s a stiff southerly!
Readjustment doesn’t mean throw it all out and start again, it means to try a different approach and find the one that works for you.
By evaluating you can measure your progress and readjust if necessary to achieve your goals.

Conclusion

Goals are for you as a guide, a tool, a method, a system that works for you. Use it to your advantage to create the life and business you really want.