In a December 17th post I linked to a radio interview about New Years resolutions and how to give them more oomph, the differences between resolutions and goals and some tips on setting goals and staying motivated.
Here's the post with link to the radio interview - http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com/2007/12/resolutions-goals-on-blog-talk-radio.html. The interview is around 45 minutes long and you can listen straight through or in bits - just press the pause button you'll find when you click into Blog Talk Radio.
I've heard from many people who'd like more info on the goal setting model I mentioned in the interview. So here's an outline on S.M.A.R.T. Goals.
"Need help staying on track and staying motivated as you take steps to change your life? Consider setting goals and tracking your progress using the S.M.A.R.T. model. The acronym S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time Bound.
Get Specific. While you might dream of getting in shape, setting a simple, clear, specific goal, i.e. to be able to swim laps for an hour or to be awarded a black belt in karate, points you directly toward the actions to take to reach your goal.
Measurable goals include a way to track your progress. When goals are measurable you know how far you are from achieving them and you know when you’ve reached them. For example, in the Weight Watchers program members track their progress by writing down what they eat, get weighed weekly and win rewards when they reach milestones on the way to their goals.
Attainable goals are goals you believe you can accomplish, that are a realistic stretch. Most people find it difficult to maintain motivation for goals that are set too high – or too low.
Relevant goals are goals that are relevant to you. They are goals that you believe in and that you are willing and able to work toward. When you choose goals that are in line with your values and in service of a vision of your life that has you excited you will be truly motivated.
Time bound means your goal is anchored with a time frame, i.e. “I will have five speaking engagements by September 1st.” Goals without timelines tend to get lost in what’s immediate and urgent in your current life. Commitment to timelines and deadlines helps you focus your efforts and make a priority of doing the actions that are important to realizing your goals."
Usage of the anacronym "S.M.A.R.T." with goals is not my invention. It's a model in common usage and if you're interested in learning more you can find various presentations of the concept by Googling "S.M.A.R.T. Goals."
