If I could give you the key to unlock the door to a more prosperous and healthy life would you be interested? Recently I was giving a seminar and I decided to ask the audience one of my favorite life questions. I looked at all the people in the room and asked:What do you want to be when you grow up? The response I received by the majority of the audience was the same one that I had received countless times previously.
I don’t know!
This answer has always perplexed me since it seemed that most people were waiting for life to happen to them as opposed to designing and creating their ideal life.
The common dilemma that most people face is they really have no idea about what they want. They also have no practical way for creating a plan and putting it into action to achieve their goals. Since 1988 I have been using a simple method of goal setting that has worked for me and I know it will work for you. It is called the S.M.A.R.T. System of goal setting. The S.M.A.R.T. System is an acronym for:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable / Attainable
Realistic
Time Specific
Each one of your goals must meet these criteria and have these basic components. In addition it is important that you break down your goals to cover five specific areas of your life:
Career / Financial
Developmental / Educational
Physical / Health
Family / Relational / Social
Spiritual / Value
Now that you have an understanding of the S.M.A.R.T. System and the areas that you should be covering lets brake down the system into ten easy steps that you can implement immediately and enjoy the benefits for the rest of your life.
Step I:
Take a legal size pad of paper and write down everything that you want to Be, Do, and Have.
Step II:
Make sure that your goals can meet the criteria of the S.M.A.R.T. System.
Step III:
Create goals that will cover the five specific areas that we discussed.
Step IV:
Put your written list of goals away for twenty-four hours before you review it.
Step V: Review your goals and put them to the test by asking yourself the following questions.
- Is this goal something I really want?
- Is this a fair goal that won’t affect anyone in a negative way?
- Do my goals align with my ethical and moral standards?
Step VI:
Eliminate any goals that do not meet these criteria. The remaining goals should be the ones you focus your attention on.
Step VII:
Review your goals three times daily (When you wake up, During the day, and When you go to bed).
Step VIII:
Each day plan action steps designed to move you closer to achieving your written goals.
Step IX:
Consistently monitor and measure your progress in order to stay on track of your goals and make the appropriate adjustments.
Step X:
Celebrate your achievements.
This goal setting method has worked for tens of thousands of individuals like you and I. Start today towards designing and realizing all your dreams.
Dr. Rick Goodman is a professional speaker and author who works with organizations that want to develop great leaders “Through Excellence in Communication and Team Building”. For more information on Rick’s speaking programs, Audio programs and learning programs contact (888) 267-6098 or Rick@rickgoodman.com This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it (www.rickgoodman.com)
© 2012 Dr. Rick Goodman