Are our goals S.M.A.R.T.?

By Brian Maynor

 

Goals are important because they’re motivational while giving us direction and purpose.  However, most of us fail to achieve them.

One of the main reasons we fail to realize our goals is because we confuse them with hopes and wishes, which are very different.  Hopes and wishes are things we would like to see happen, but aren’t really working towards, while goals have a very specific plan of action attached to them.

Having a plan is key, but is it a S.M.A.R.T. plan?  Originally founded by George Doran in 1981, S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic and Time-related and has been effectively used by both individuals and companies to achieve goals and objectives ever since.

Here’s a recap of S.M.A.R.T. planning and why it works:

1.   Specific.  One of the best ways to achieve a goal is to have a specific outcome.  When we our goals are vague it is easier to lose interest in reaching them, because we aren’t as connected to the outcome.  Plus, we need to have a specific goal for the rest of the plan to be effective.  So, the next time we’re setting a goal start by asking, “What exactly do we want to achieve?”

2.    Measurable.  This is an important step in achieving a goal.  When we are able to track our progress, we stay motivated and focused on the outcome.  It also makes our decision making process easier because we have a comparable factor and can ask, “which decision gets me closer to my goal?”

3.    Assignable.  This steps centers around accountability and the responsibility for making the goal happen.  If it’s a personal goal, we are solely accountable for realizing it, but team goals are a bit different.  With multiple people invested in the goal, everyone’s responsibilities need to be clear and we have to help hold each other accountable.  No one wants to be that one person in the group doing all the work.

4.    Realistic.  Every goal we want to achieve needs to be realistic.  That doesn’t mean it has to be small or easy.  We can set challenging goals, but we don’t want to set ourselves up for failure.  A lot of things are theoretically possible that just practically aren’t.   Achieving a goal is hard enough when they are realistic, don’t make it harder by striving for something that is unrealistic.

5.    Time-related.  All goals need a deadline.  If we don’t have an end date attached, there is no sense of urgency associated with the goal and therefore less motivation to work towards it.   Open-ended goals are often pushed back in priority as life happens and competes for our time.

Having a plan, whether it’s a S.M.A.R.T. plan or not, is crucial for accomplishing our goals, but our actions will ultimately determine our success.

 

 

 

 

 

I am always curious to hear from you.  Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected].

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.