Goal Setting the S.M.A.R.T. way

Recently I had a conversation with @dreemsteem about our goals in Steemit and I saw that many people don’t have a framework in order to set their goals and express them in a way that will help them achieve it.

So, I dig into my NLP notes and found this blueprint and I am presenting to you.

It’s in an acronym form so that you can remember it.

Let’s see what makes a goal S.M.A.R.T.

SPECIFIC

The goal has to be precise , expressed in a positive way without words that are related to negative ideas or comparisons.

Refrain from phrases like “don’t do X”, “lose X”, “stop X” since our brain can’t understand the negative and will make a mental picture of what you don’t want first. For example if I tell you “don’t think of a rose elephant” , you will first think of a rose elephant and then think of the “don’t”.

Refrain from comparisons. “Better than last year”. It’s not specific. “Want to make at least X” it’s better to phrase it “want to make X and more” because in the first case you put a glass ceiling.

Be careful with your words. Words matter.

MEASURABLE

This has to do with me. It’s what I do , what I think , what do I need to move forward. I take into consideration only things that I can influence.

For example not “get a job” because I cannot 100% influence the interview, but “I apply to X positions in a certain sector and acquire Y qualifications/certifications”.

AS IF NOW

I express my goal in present time, because future tenses create distance and thus difficulty in achieving the goal. For example “By next month I blog 3 times per week in Steemit”.

I also must have certain criteria so that I realize that I have achieved the goal. We call that convince and reassurance strategies and could be the subject of another article.

REALISTIC

This is where most goals fail. For a goal to be achievable we have to check with ourselves and our environment. What will happen if I achieve the goal? What will I gain or lose? What could go wrong if I achieve or don’t achieve the goal?

In NLP we call that the ecology of the individual. For example, let’s say that someone wants to lose weight. Expresses the goal in the right way as I described, but fails to see that maybe all his friends are of the same caliber and he will lose them if he changes lifestyle. Guess how possible is that person to achieve the goal.

A realistic goal means that it has to be in accordance with the person’s values, goals and environment.

TOWARDS A HIGHER PURPOSE

Why am I doing this? Why this is important to me? What will I be able to achieve and what will change for me. It’s all about your why. If you know why you do what you do, it is easier to achieve, because the “right” why is the best motivator that there is.

Now let me copy/paste my blogging goals from @dreemsteem ‘s post :

Here’s my goals :
By the end of April , my “important project” is on the air
By the end of summer , I am producing at least one piece of content in written and video >and audio form every week.
By the end of the year, I make more than 1000 euros from my blogging activities.

What is missing is the last part. The “Towards a Higher Purpose” which is “I want to become financially secure, so that I can help other people do the same”.

And for the end an exercise that can help you. Let’s say you achieved your goal. Imagine the image of yourself 15 minutes after you did it. Turn around and face now. What was the previous step just before you did it. And the one before that and you continue until you reach now. This exercise will help you see the steps you have to make to realize the goal. Of course, we have a name for that. It’s called Timeline, thanks for asking.

Hope you’ve found this post useful, but don’t upvote it yet.

Write your goals in the S.M.A.R.T. way and share them here. Could be anything: job, health , Steemit. Share your goals and we will hold you accountable.

Now you can upvote the post. Thank you. :)

And until we make our goals…
Be Healthy, Smile and Steem.