Once we have decided on our big change, it is time to set the goals to make the change happen.
One popular method to set goals is S.M.A.R.T.
Specific – This part focuses on the five W questions:
• What – what exactly do I want to accomplish?
• Why – list the specific reasons benefits of accomplishing the goal
• Who – who is involved in the process.
• Where – identify the location
• Which – identify requirements and constraints
Measurable – How will you measure the your success of reaching your goal? Use this tool to stay on track and remember it is okay to adjust your goal as you evaluate your progress.
Attainable – What are the actions are necessary to achieve your goal? As you set your goals you may need to develop new attitudes and skills to be able to achieve them. By breaking down bigger goals into smaller steps may enable us to make progress.
Relevant – How will my goals help me to achieve my big change? Don’t become distracted by efforts that are not aligned with your desired result.
Time-bound – Set one or more target dates for completion. This “by when” deadlines, dates and frequency.
Write down your goal on a device, index card, calendar – keep somewhere it is always visible and you can refer to it daily. Taking a step everyday may ensure you best success.
