|
It's extremely unusual to find a person without any goals. In fact, most of us have them, even if we don't know it. Taking that dream vacation is a goal and buying a new car is a goal. Practically all of the things that you want to achieve or obtain in your life are goals. The challenge with goals is in not setting ourselves up for failure; in other words, having goals that are "S.M.A.R.T." goals. A "S.M.A.R.T." goal is one that is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and has Timely expectations. Only by looking at all of these points can we be sure that our goal is in fact attainable, or is even one that we truly want to achieve. Let's look at these points individually to find out why: **Specific** A goal that is not specific has no roadmap. Meaning there is no way to plan out how you are going to achieve it. By planning out the details of your goal by asking yourself when it will happen, how it will happen, why you want it to happen, you can begin taking the steps needed to get to your objective. Taking a trip with a vague destination and no roadmap will only get you lost and the same is true of goals. **Measurable** A goal needs to be measurable in order for you to have that feeling of accomplishment at the end. Your goal should have some standard by which you are able to measure your success. This will ensure that each time you make a positive step toward your goal, you will know it and feel the sense of accomplishment that you have earned. **Attainable** Goals that are unreasonable certainly cannot be achieved. If you want to become a doctor, but you are unwilling, or unable to go to school, your goal is unattainable. Setting unreachable goals is quite simply setting yourself up for failure. You need to ensure that your goals are something you are able to achieve. This doesn't mean you can't reach for the stars, but if you want to be a doctor, you need to be prepared for the hard work that comes along with that. For each goal you set, you must ensure that you have the ability, knowledge and money necessary. If you don't, is there a way you could gain these? **Realistic** Having unrealistic goals, like having unattainable ones, is setting yourself up for failure. Wanting to be the President of the United States is a lofty goal, but how realistic is it if you are currently a Canadian electrician? Ask yourself if you truly believe there are steps you can take to achieve your goal. If there are, then your goal is realistic. **Timely** A goal without a timeframe is more of a hope for the future than an actual goal. Setting a date by which you want to achieve your goal will ensure that you work towards realizing it at a rate that will allow you to achieve it within the given timeframe. You may not be able to accomplish every goal that you set, but I can almost guarantee that you can achieve a "S.M.A.R.T." goal. Ask yourself if your goal is a "S.M.A.R.T." one and then start planning how you will succeed.
Liz Cascagnette is a Career Coach and President of Envision Career Coaching. To find out more about what a career coach can do for you to put you on the track to your dream career, visit her Career Coaching website. While you’re on the website, don’t forget to sign up for her free monthly newsletter providing tips and advice on setting and achieving the goals toward the life you’ve always wanted.
|
