One of the first questions I ask people are, “What are some of your goals?” About 80% don’t have any and about 20% just have a generic goal with no real desire to accomplish it. Which of the following two New Year’s Resolutions do you feel will get accomplished?
- “I want to exercise and lose weight this year.”
- “I would like to set myself on an exercise program of 3 days a week, 30 minutes each day, and lose 5 pounds a month until I reach my goal of 15 pounds, which should be in March.”
It’s obvious that the second one is more thought out and has a stricter plan that can be easily tracked. But almost everyone sets their goals like #1. “I want to lose weight”, “I need to exercise”, “I want to start reading more”, “I should set more goals”, “I am going to start eating healthier”. Do you see how these things, many of which I’m certain you have promised to yourself, never get accomplished. It’s great that you want to start eating healthier, but there is a huge difference if a bodybuilder says that, and if a coach potato says the same thing.
This is where SMART Goals come in. Ever since I started using this technique, I’ve been able to increase my productivity ten fold. Here are the 5 steps to setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals:
S=Specific– A goal must be very specific. A generalization of “lose weight” or “exercise” won’t help you at all because it’s too generic.
M=Measurable– A major reason that most goals don’t get accomplished is because they can’t be measured. If you want to lose weight, that’s great, but how much? If you say that you want to lose 15 pounds in 3 months, that can be measured very easily. Either you did or you didn’t.
A=Attainable– It’s great that many people don’t set limits to their own potentials, it’s very inspiring. But you must also be a little realistic. If the greatest workout you get is going to the mailbox, then the Olympics might be a little out of reach by next year.
R=Risky– Now we are getting to the fun stuff. How risky is your goal? If you walk 30 minutes a day and want to set a goal of walking 31 minutes a day, is that really all that risky? A goal should stretch you outside of your comfort zone and make you nervous just thinking about it.
T=Timely– You know your goal, how to measure it, it’s attainable, and risky, now when do you want to do it by? Setup a realistic timetable. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
My goal is to organize and speak at a motivational seminar with 150 guests on Saturday, December 8th, 2007. This is very specific, measurable (either I have 150 or I don’t), it’s attainable for my skill level, it’s risky for me because it’s outside of my comfort zone, and I have a specific date.
Now that you know how to set a S.M.A.R.T. Goal, go ahead and get to work. If you would like, email me a copy (rohit@rohitrohila.com) of your goal and I’ll checkup on you periodically to see how you are doing. My only condition, that you do the same for me also!