SMART

I have been lucky enough to have a lot of caring, intelligent people in my life who have given me great life advice over the years but there is one person in particular who gave me a nice slice of the pie (I wish...).

They enlightened me with the Acronym SMART which is a surefire way to attaining goals. Let me explain!

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely

Specific - Goals should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen. Specific is the What, Why and How of the SMART model
What - are you going to do?
Why - is this important to do this at this time?
How - are you going to do it?

Measurable - the whole goal statement is a measure for the project; if the goal is accomplished there is a success. However there should be short term goals as well for you to continue to feel motivated with each small success. For instance - this week I vowed to lose at least 2lbs. It's only Friday, I've got two more days left and I've already lost 2lbs. It's a short term goal in comparison to my long term goal of losing 80lbs but it was attainable and measurable!

Attainable - You can attain most any goal you set when you plan your steps wisely and establish a time frame that allows you to carry out those steps. Goals that may have seemed far away and out of reach eventually move closer and become attainable, not because your goals shrink, but because you grow and expand to match them. When you list your goals you build your self-image. You see yourself as worthy of these goals, and develop the traits and personality that allow you to possess them.

Realistic - a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. Your goal is probably realistic if you truly believe that it can be accomplished.

Timely - A goal should be grounded within a time frame. With no time frame tied to it there's no sense of urgency. If you anchor it within a timeframe, then you've set your mind into motion to begin working on the goal.

BE SMART!