- Maureen O'Toole
Ready, Set, Goal!
What I’m Thinking About: Setting S.M.A.R.T Goals for 2019
I’m a planner. We have a family calendar. I keep a paper calendar and an electronic calendar. I make daily “To Do” lists and check off completed items. Each New Year’s starts with creating “Body, Mind and Soul Goals” which are posted in a place where I see them daily.
Why bother with this goal setting self-accountability? Because it makes a difference, a big difference, personally and professionally. Goals help me push myself to be a better version of myself.
Why You Might Be Thinking About It: S.M.A.R.T Goals are Easier to Reach
Management guru Peter Drucker developed the concept of S.M.A.R.T. goals decades ago. Drucker believed that focusing effort in these 5 areas increased the chances of success. We see variations on the definition of each letter in the acronym but the power of having well-stated goals is same.
Specific: What am I going to do?
Measurable: How will I measure progress against the goal? A percentage? Yes or No? A number?
Actionable: What action(s) will I take: exercise, study, rest, read, serve, etc.?
Reachable: Does the goal reflect ability and commitment?
Time-Centered: When will this action be done?
Examples:
Fitness/Body: I will run 4x week and complete a half-marathon on October 13th. Specific – Complete a ½ marathon. Measurable – Yes or No. Actionable – Run. Reachable – Regular running. Time-Centered – October 13th.
Professional/Mind: I will take classes and earn a Project Management Certificate by April. Specific – Earn a Project Management Certificate. Measurable – Yes or No. Actionable – Take classes. Reachable – Regular study involved. Time-Centered – by April
Soul: I will read one uplifting book per month. Specific – Read uplifting books. Measurable – 12 books, 1 per month. Actionable – Read. Reachable – Requires discipline of regular reading. Time-Centered – 1-year commitment.
Why It's Worth Thinking About: Goals Help You Be the Best Version of Yourself
Use this tool to create focused, time-centered goals. If you commit to even three goals – one each for body/fitness, mind/professional, and soul - by this time next year, you’ll have three successes to celebrate.