The SMART-ER Road to Reaching Your Goals

Most of us have heard about the SMART method to goal setting, which tells us the qualities that every well-formulated goal needs to have. It’s a popular method that’s taught in the workplace, schools, workshops, and in books because research has shown that goals with these 5 qualities are easier and more likely to be achieved. 

But it can’t be ALL about the goal itself, right? It’s important to consider WHO has to reach that well-formulated goal. There’s someone who has to actually take the action steps necessary once that goal has been set.  Who is that “Goal Getter?” What are the qualities that THEY need to have? If two people have the same exact goal, what personal characteristics will give one person a greater chance of success over the other?

We talk about the SMART method that outlines the qualities of goals but let’s get even smart-ER and add a couple of letters to the acronym (ER) to represent the added qualities of the Goal Getter. 

I’ll use the scenario of someone saying “I want to stop procrastinating,” and I’ll provide an example of how to incorporate each quality into that type of goal. 

• Specific

Don’t be vague. Be direct, detailed, and intentional when writing your goals. Use “I am” in place of “I will”, and refrain from using negative words like “Don’t, No, Stop, Not” etc.  Use only positive wording in the present tense. (These are mind tricks.)

“I complete projects before the deadline.”

• Measurable

How will you know when you have reached your goal? Make your goals quantifiable. In other words, using numbers in your goals will make it easy to track progress and success.

“I complete 100% of projects a week before the deadline.”

• Attainable

Look at where you are currently in relation to the goal. How far are you pushing yourself to go? What has stopped you from getting there in the past? Assess your known obstacles. How will you address or minimize them? With the other obligations you have in your life, can you really achieve this goal (and in the stated time frame)? Do you have access to the resources needed or a game plan of how to gain that access? The goal can be challenging, and still be possible. But a goal that is too lofty could negatively impact your motivation. So find your balance and be reasonable. Once you hit that goal, celebrate your progress and expand your goal to a larger one.

“I complete 80% of projects 2 or more days before the deadline.”

• Relevant

The goal aligns with your values and the “bigger picture” of where you want to be in some area of your life or business. You are clear on your “Why” or your reason for wanting to achieve this particular goal, and it doesn’t conflict with other goals or desires you have for yourself.

“I complete 80% of projects 2 or more days before the deadline.”  (no changes) 

• Time-bound

Set a clear deadline for reaching your goals. By what date will you have accomplished this goal? If you find difficulty in setting deadlines because your goal could be ongoing– something you can continuously reach higher levels in– you can define the milestones and give yourself different deadlines for reaching each level.

“I complete 80% of projects 2 or more days before their deadline by June 2023.”
(This is a well-formulated SMART goal)

• Empowered

You have your SMART goal, but what’s going to keep the Goal Getter from losing that momentum they started with? You have to EMPOWER yourself! There are many ways to do this. Doing mindset work is one. Reading your vision and goals daily will keep you focused on taking action.  Listening to motivational speeches, and affirmations will boost your confidence and remind you of the amazing things you are capable of achieving. Having well-written SMART goals without having the mindset for success is a waste of time and energy.  
        
        “I am capable of achieving my goals.”
“I value my time and use it productively.”
(Create affirmations that address mindset obstacles for your specific goals.) 

• Resilient/Resourceful

Life happens. We all know this. So no matter how much goal setting, planning, and mindset work we do, some obstacles will still make their way to the surface and attempt to affect our progress in a very real way. Some days, it will seem like our “mindset for success” is nowhere to be found. (And that’s okay, actually. We wouldn’t be human if that didn’t happen from time to time.) How we bounce back from those low vibrational moments– those hours when doubt, envy, frustration, and apathy (the IDGAF syndrome) gets ahold of us – that’s what really matters. How resilient is the Goal Getter? How resourceful are you? After the meltdown, can you take a step back, recalibrate, and successfully see the bigger picture? Can you recognize the obstacles that were actually opportunities in disguise? Did you pick up on the hidden lessons put in place for you, giving the exact grade of fuel you needed for your journey to goal attainment? 


So while, yes, every Goal Getter needs well-formulated goals, every SMART goal needs a well-formulated “Goal Getter”. It’s a combo deal, and the SMART-ER road to successfully reaching your goals.

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Check out "Planning 4 Success: The Goal Getter Edition," our signature goal attainment program, where you will learn how to implement my 10-Step Goal Getter System to help you reach your goals more successfully and improve the quality of your overall life. Learn more by clicking the image above.