I have been reading a lot of self-help books lately. Actually I hate the fact they are called ‘self-help’ really… I think that if you are not helping yourself by reading books containing techniques from the most successful people then you are really on your own out there in the world with no advantages over the average person.
A quote that comes to mind is: “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.” -Mark Twain
So having said that I have recognized a pattern which I wanted to enforce. I have used this in my life and actually learned it during my time at BCIT. It has really helped to focus my goals so that I can achieve them so I would like to share that with you.
Firstly, goals are not some sort of esoteric far out idea, they are a tool to get you where you want to go. Goals can be large or small, long-term or short-term but they need to all be laid out with the same attributes or they will be useless.
S.M.A.R.T – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-Bound
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Specific – if you do not know what you want you will NEVER get it. Â This is the most common mistake in with any goal. Â If you don’t define the end point you will never reach it. Â Without knowing where you need to go you can not formulate a plan to get there and you will never complete the task. Â It will be a vague wish but never a reality.
“What path do I take?….
Where are you going?…
Well… I’m not sure…
well then… any path will do.”
Make the goal as specific as possible. Â I want to improve my cardio conditioning so I can keep up with my kids.
Measurable – this going hand in hand with specific. Â You need to be able to put a number or quantitative value on your goals and this is a huge one. Â Start with a specific number, work to it then keep working, it is the only way to achieve it. Â If you have no idea what you are working towards you won’t know when you have got there.
For example. Â I want to be able to run 5 kms in 30 minutes or I want to lose 5 pounds is specific enough that you can measure your performance. Â Start small, if you reach that goal then set the bar higher but at least you are achieving something and not just saying I want to run fast or I want to lose weight. Â Saying those things are a recipe for FAILURE.
Attainable – you have to be building the abilities and skills necessary to achieve your goals. Â So you want something that is within some sort of reach, something that will drive you. Â If you set your goal to run 5 kms too quickly you will not feel it is attainable and you will not be able to align yourself to achieve it. Â All goals are achievable but bite them off in chunks to keep yourself going.
Realistic – 100 kms in 5 minutes? Â That is not physically possible by anyone in the world. Â Don’t limit yourself but make sure you are willing to put the time and effort in. Â Less overall goals that actually get achieved are better than hundreds of discarded goals.
Time-Bound (Timely) – set a time limit. Â Parkinson’s law states that you will make the amount of effort to achieve a goal proportionate to the amount of time you have to do it. Â Set challenging timelines for yourself but HAVE A TIME LIMIT. Â 5 lbs in a month or 10 new clients in 2 weeks, etc. Â Then you will need to track them and make sure you achieved your goals. Â If you don’t make it don’t beat yourself up, but set the time short and see how much time you can make to achieve the results. Â You will be surprised.
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Please review your goals and set some SMART criteria for them. Â Achieving one goal leads to the next and the next. Â If you have a set of things you feel you have to achieve before you do something else then you absolutely have to set a time and a measurement of those goals. Â Then figure out what you have to do to attain them, AND DO IT!
