It’s a NEW Year, A New Beginning, and a time for us to set those goals and show up for ourselves. Except, no matter how strong and motivated we start, we still can’t seem to achieve that goal. Yes, We have our SMART goal-setting routine down. But as the year goes by, we can’t seem to actually achieve them. To be honest, that is the most frustrating part of setting goals.
The frustration we often feel could result from 6 essential factors that we overlook when practicing Smart Goal Setting.
What is SMART Goal setting?
SMART goal setting is simply setting your goals using the SMART goal method.
The SMART goal setting method is a method that allows you to be more precise and more accurate in the goals you set. Allowing you the tools you need to actually achieve that goal.
SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic (Relevant), and time-bound. This method helps you set goals that you would not believe you achieved.
Smart Goal Setting: 6 Goal Achieving Habits That will change your Life
Don’t make your goals too broad.
Setting goals is an excellent way to achieve something in life. If you want to succeed, you should set goals for yourself. With goals, you always have something you’re working towards.
However, too often, we set goals for ourselves that are very unrealistic or can’t be achieved as they are too broad. And we end up frustrated and angry with ourselves because of that.
That’s why the first thing you should do is make sure your goals are not too broad. Setting a broad goal like “I want to be happy.” is not achievable. There are no specifics about how you will be happy and no way of measuring if you are happy.
Especially since happiness is very subjective and difficult to define.
Setting a broad goal is like grasping at straws. It will get you nowhere, and you will be right back where you started. Frustrated, depressed, and anxious that you are not achieving anything.
So when you are setting your goals, I want you to make sure that the goal is achievable and measurable. Don’t romanticize your goal.
Have a clear picture of your goal.
Often, we set a goal but don’t have a clear picture of how to achieve the goal we set.
Having a clear picture of the steps you need to take to achieve your goal will help you actually get to where you want to be.
It takes the guessing work out of achieving your set goal. It provides you with a plan of action that will help you succeed.
Without an action plan, you will not get far.
My goal is to move to a new place at the end of this month. I want to be in a new city doing something new.
That means I have to plan it out. Know that my goal is decisive and the steps I need to achieve them. I can turn those steps into smaller achievable goals. Thus giving me the whole picture.
Make sure you are being held accountable.
SMART goal setting is easy but achieving the goal takes some work. And one way we often fail at achieving our goal is that we are not holding ourselves accountable.
Better said, we don’t plan for the accountability of achieving said goal. We can plan the goal all we want, but it gets hard without accountability.
When we don’t achieve a goal, we feel frustrated, depressed, and full of negative emotions. This can simply be avoided if we set up a fail-safe called accountability.
Setting up accountability is easy to do. Anyone in your life that you trust can be your accountable person. But if you don’t have someone like that, you need to find ways to hold yourself accountable to achieve your goal.
Because one thing you will find in the journey of reaching your goal is that motivation is a small part of getting things done.
Turn your actions steps into smaller goals.
If you want to achieve your goal, you need to set action steps.
Actions step make sure you know the steps you need to take to reach your goal.
Well, turning those action steps into small short-term goals are a great way to stay motivated.
Because you are consistently reaching a goal.
This way, you don’t feel stagnant and stuck like you are not achieving anything.
It’s a simple enough process that will help you build momentum. And that momentum will help you in the journey of reaching your goal.
Create a habit around your goal.
The best thing you can do for yourself creates good habits that assist you in achieving your goal.
Here’s the bottom line. Motivation will not always be there, but habit is something we form that serves us. Whether good or bad, a habit is hard to break.
That is why if you create a habit around your goal. Setting time aside to accomplish the minor task and objectives that lead to your bigger goal.
This little time set aside will become a habit that will serve you to reach any goal you set for yourself.
Celebrate small victories.
In the world of psychology, we tell our clients to “celebrate the small victories.”
The same goes for us trying to achieve something big or powerful. We need to be able to celebrate the small victories.
Every time you meet a small goal, don’t hesitate to celebrate it. Because you are one step closer to reaching that big goal.
Without motivation, it is hard to achieve a goal. If you are not motivated, you will not achieve what you set out to do. That is why we celebrate small victories.
It allows you to see the progress and reward for what you set out to achieve. Thus, giving you the boost you need to continue. You will be creating your own motivation every step of the way.
Final thoughts.
SMART goal setting is easy to do. But when it comes down to it, there is a lot of frustration and uncertainty involved in actually achieving the goal.
Especially when you are not meeting them the way you think you should.
Just the thought of going another year not accomplishing what you set out to do is discouraging.
That is why we don’t just set a goal. Those who succeed are those with a plan. And I know you can do it.
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