We all set goals for ourselves in the various domains of our lives, with great hopes of achieving these goals. Here are some tips on how to improve your chances of reaching your goals.
The most important aspect of goal-setting is choosing the goal we want. Using the mnemonic of SMART, we can optimize the goal we set and improve our chances of success.
S- The S is for specific. You want your goal to be very clear and specific, rather than vague. For example, setting a goal such as "I want to be more successful at work" is not specific and is less likely to be achieved. Rather, a specific goal would be more like "I want to be promoted to shift manager." The more specific the goal, the better your chances at another S, success.
M- The M is for measurable. You want to set a goal that is concrete and can be easily measured quantitatively. For example, "I want to lose 20 pounds" can be directly measured and evaluated, while "I want to get in shape" is harder to quantify. Measurable goals are much easier to monitor and more likely to be achieved.
A- The A is for attainable. You want to set a goal that will be challenging while at the same time possible to achieve. If you set a goal that is too easy, you will likely lose motivation as you won't be excited about achieving your goal. On the other hand, if you set a goal that is impossible to accomplish, you will be setting yourself up for failure, and you will likely give up once you realize you can't meet the goal.
R- The R is for relevant. You want to set a goal that is relevant and matters to you. It has to be something that is important for you in order to get you motivated and keep you motivated.
T- The T is for time-bound or time-framed. This means that your goal has a set target date for accomplishment. For example, "I will cut down to 5 cigarettes a day by December 1st, 2013." Having an end-date gives you clarity and a sense of urgency.
By setting SMART goals you improve your chances of reaching your goal, while also making it easier to evaluate your progress and results more easily. Also, by setting SMART goals now you will be able to set better goals in the future. You will have clear data as to what you were able to accomplish and what you did not achieve. This evaluation can help you determine what goals to set next, what barriers need to be overcome, and what tweaks you can make in your process.
Two more helpful tips are declaration and visualization. Declaration involves declaring your goal in some way. This can include writing it down, verbalizing it out loud to a friend or loved one, or even saying it out loud to yourself. This will increase your commitment and dedication to the goal, make the goal more real, and increase your motivation. Visualizing your goal can also be very helpful. Take a few minutes and visualize what it will be like when you achieve your goal, down to the very last detail. The more of your senses you can include in your visualization, the better. For example, what will it look like when you achieve your goal? What sounds are you hearing? What do you feel? The more detailed the visualization, the more helpful it will be. You can also repeat the visualization throughout the process of working towards your goal, once a month, once a week, or even every day.
Think of what areas in your life you would like to see improvements in and set some SMART goals. Good luck!
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