Back to Article index To print this page, click on the Print icon in your browser.   New Year Resolutions or SMART Goals?   Our population can be divided into four distinct classifications: The top three percent of the population is independently wealthy working only if they want to. The next ten percent is financially successful working to maintain their lifestyle, and have a high net worth. The next sixty percent live paycheck to paycheck, are highly leveraged and count pennies. The final twenty-three percent requires some form of outside assistance to live.   What sets the top thirteen percent apart from the rest is they have defined their goals. The top three percent have further committed their goals to writing AND have a written action plan for how they are going to achieve them. Amazingly, the top three percent outperforms the next group of ten percent by about fifty to one. The only difference is their written commitment to their goals!   When I lead workshops on setting goals my first questions are, "How many of you have goals?" and "How many of you set goals simply by changing the date of your new year resolutions each January?" With the first question, usually fifty percent of the people raise their hands. With the second question I get laughter, seldom a raised hand and many sheepish looks.   It's only funny on the surface, though. The reality is that without goals - some idea of what you want and where you're going - the chances of getting there are pretty slim. (In Through the Looking Glass, Alice comes to a fork on the path and wonders which way to go. The Cheshire Cat appears and asks her where she's heading. Her response is, "I don't know." You can guess the response of the Cheshire Cat: "Well then the path you take doesn't matter!")   So what's the first step? Easy. Make your goals SMART. SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed. Is your goal specific enough that when you tell me what it is I'll know what you want? Is your goal measurable so you'll know when you get there? Is your goal achievable by somebody? Is your goal realistic for you? When do you want to have achieved your goal?   As an example, assume your goal is to move into a new career. If that's where you stop, your goal is not SMART. Using SMART as a guide, change your goal. Make it specific by saying, "I want to be an elementary school teacher by the year 2005." This is a measurable goal. You will be able to track your progress both as you complete educational and training requirements and when you begin working as a teacher. This goal has been achieved by many already and, unless you don't like kids or have a fear of being in front of a classroom, it is a realistic goal. Finally, a deadline is set for reaching the goal. All SMART criteria are met.   Complete the SMART process by imagining yourself in the future when you've achieved the goal. How will your life be different? Who will be affected? Are you willing to make whatever changes will be necessary? These questions are about personal ecology - will your life still be working for you? If the answer is no, re-think your goal.   Now look at your values - the guiding principles you live by. As important as values are, most people have a great deal of difficulty defining their highest values. Don't allow this to be a block for you. Get to your truth: What is at your core, what are the values that guide you? Is your goal in alignment with your values? If not, change your goal. It doesn't serve you. This is one of the most critical steps in establishing goals that work for you.   Here are some additional questions to ask when you're setting goals for yourself and putting a structure in place to help you achieve them:   1. What will achieving this goal do for me? What is the benefit? Why bother?   2. Is this goal something I want or am I taking it on for somebody else? Is it something you really want or is it something you think you should do? Typically, a "should" goal creates resistence because it's not your own.   3. Is this the right time for me to take on this goal?   4. What do I need to move me forward? What resources do you have available to you and where do you need additional support?   5. Who do I want to talk to about this goal? People are great support for you. Choose your support system carefully - you want people who are positive and nurturing. The more you talk about your goal, the more real it becomes.   6. What is the one daily action step I'm willing to take that will make the biggest difference to me in achieving my goal?   7. What blocks are in my way? There's usually something in your way. Any block you identify will fall into one of five broad categories: Lack of money. Lack of time. Negativity (yours and other people's). Uncertainty. Lack of information. All blocks can be removed.   Use the people around you. Use your own personal strengths. Write down your goals and create an action plan using the information above. You can be part of the top thirteen percent (even the top three percent.) Align your goals with your values, make your goals SMART and take advantage of all the resources you have around you; people and things.   This is not a time to repeat the past. Let go of all the old resolutions that didn't happen. Begin this year with a fresh look at what you really want for yourself. Imagine what it would be like to be living your dream. Anything is possible when you commit to an outcome and plan for it.      © Copyright January, 1997. Laura Hess, MCC 702.252.3657