It’s important to learn how to set goals – whether you want to climb the corporate ladder, run a marathon for the first time, or simply become a better person. Here are some SMART goal setting tips and how you can make them work for you.
Setting goals is a vital part of any effort toward self improvement
Making something you want in life an actual goal is a really great way to make it happen. That’s because you’re making a decision to act in order to get what you want. Being able to formulate, set, and make progress toward goals is a skill that will help you achieve your dreams. By setting and meeting realistic goals, you become a happy, successful person you deserve to be. However, the first step to goal setting is to have absolute belief and faith in the process. This will also help you end procrastination.
How to set SMART goals?
If you haven’t heard about this acronym, here’s what it stands for: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound.
Specific. Your goals need to be as specific as possible because otherwise, they won’t give you enough direction to follow through.
Measurable – Adding specific dates, amounts, etc., makes your progress quantifiable.
Attainable – Be honest with yourself. Set realistic and manageable goals.
Relevant – Align your goals with the direction you want your life and career to take. Balancing the alignment between long-term and short-term will give you the focus you’ll need.
Time-bound – Having a finish line will mean you’ll get to celebrate when you accomplish your goal. Having set deadlines gives you a sense of urgency that is lacking when goals are open-ended.
Stay true to yourself
Knowing how to set goals can be life-changing. Therefore, one of the key things to remember when setting goals is to stay true to yourself. Your goals should be things that YOU want to do – not things that you imagine other people want you to do. Following this rule will help ensure your dedication and passion for your goals.