Why do people write goals?
“I’m serious about keeping my New Year’s resolutions. In the past, my resolutions went in one year and out the other!”
The Formula For Achieving Any Goal:
S.M.A.R.T. ones!
S.M.A.R.T. ones!
Christmas is a dozen days away and New Year’s right around the corner. Most people are thinking of making some serious changes. That’s what resolutions are all about!
So why do people write goals? Because they’re moving forward! And that’s a good thing. There is one important aspect that most people forget BEFORE writing down goals.
Ya, But…
These two very small, but very powerful words – Ya But – whether used in business or personal relationship building, are the key to implementing goals that will work!
Despite valiant efforts writing New Year’s resolutions, goals, planning next moves or simply relaxing about the direction you want, little doubts creep in. You can recognize the stoppers by the mumbling under your breath of “Ya, But…”
So take a piece of paper and draw 3 columns. In the first write a goal that you would like to achieve.
For example, I am going to take a 2 week vacation with my (fill in the blank)
In the second column, list a few strategies you might use to achieve this goal.
And in the 3rd, write your Ya, But…that is, if you have any.
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Goal
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Strategy
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Ya, But
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Do this little exercise with a friend or partner. Have them help you though the Ya, But’s. What most people notice is that they hardly realize how much Ya, But they put into any decision.
How was your experience?
Now let me ask you this million dollar relationship question: “How do you feel when it is someone else who is putting roadblocks between you and your goals?”
Yet … we do this to ourselves all the time!
In fact, Ya, Buts are the biggest stoppers to creating goals and resolutions.
And according to numerous studies, setting goals is one of the best ways of getting clear about what you want, where you want to go and how to achieve them. In fact, without goals, your life would probably sit, stagnate and you would probably feel blah!
Are you ready to set some personal resolutions? Here’s a method adapted from goalsettingstrategies.com/smart_goals.html the professionals use.
Setting a S.M.A.R.T. Goal
SMART stands for Specific, measurable, Attainable, Realistic/Relevant and time Bound.
S = Specific: You goal must be clearly defined.
M = Measurable: How will you know when you reach your goal?
A = Attainable: Is your goal challenging but still possible to achieve? Is a short term goal – ie about 3 weeks or a long term goal – ie more than a month?
R = Realistic: Is your goal realistic and within your reach? Are you willing to commit to your goal?
T = Time Bound; Does your goal have a deadline?
Here’s a bad example of a SMART goal:
“I want to lose weight.”
Instead, use the elements above and rewrite it by breaking it down into specifics.
“I want to lose 10 pounds by Feb 1st. I will ride my exercise bike at least 15 minutes every morning, every day, 5 times a week and I will each way more salad at lunch and dinner and less other stuff I love but don’t’ need!”
Hey, chuckle if you will, I’ve already reduced a jean size! Woo-Hoo!
Here’s another bad example of a SMART goal.
“I want to go out more for coffee and a chat.”
Instead, be specific and convert it into a good SMART goal:
“I will go out for coffee with one of my friends in the next two weeks.
Now you try it.
Your Personal S.M.A.R.T. Short Term Goal (in the next 3 weeks)
Goal:
1.
What is the strategy you will use to accomplish this goal?
Strategies:
1.
2.
3.
Your Personal S.M.A.R.T. Long Term Goals (one month or longer)
A long term goal will be “time bound” by a date you set. Make sure you write a realistic deadline that does not put added pressure on you – especially during the holidays.
Of ten the difference between a short and a long term goal is that the long term goal may take longer because it’s more complicated. But then, getting a friend to have coffee could be complicated too! You decide.
Goal:
1.
Strategies:
1.
2.
3.
Now that you’ve achieved one goal, take a moment to congratulate yourself!
What most people forget is that when you acknowledge your accomplishments, it’s like getting validation for the results. Instead of waiting for someone outside you to notice, you be the first in your mirror to say, Hey! You look great! I see you!
Don't be too quick to just mark it off the list and move on. Pat yourself on the back because you are the winner here!
Now, why not set the second one?
Most important, have fun!
Happy holidays and chat soon,
Patricia
