“Your level of success will seldom exceed your level of personal development, because success is something you attract by the person you become.”
– Jim Rohn
“Your level of success will seldom exceed your level of personal development, because success is something you attract by the person you become.”
– Jim Rohn
At the beginning of every year I set out to achieve a number of goals for the coming year. More often than not I have given up by the end of January. I know that I am not alone in this fact. only 8% of those who make a New Year’s Resolution are actually successful in achieving them by year’s end.
To achieve more this year, use the SMART formula for goal setting. SMART goals are…
A General Goal would be to “get in shape”. But a specific goal would say “Run on the greenway three times per week.”
Measurable – Possibly the most critical step of this process is to create a concrete means of measuring progress towards reaching your goal.
This allows you to stay on track, keeping you motivated along the way. It can be very rewarding to see the progress you make.
In order to make your goal measurable ask questions such as How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished. Knowing when you’ve reached your goal may seem a little obvious, but for the purposes of measuring your progress this must be determined.
Attainable – Goals should stretch you to become more than you are. There is nothing wrong with setting lofty goals. You should be careful to set goals that are actually attainable if you work hard and stay disciplined.
Don’t set yourself up for failure right out of the gate. “Run a marathon in 3 months” may be a great goal, but if you’ve never stepped foot out the door to run you may want to set a more attainable goal first. “Run my first 5K in 3 months” is still something that will stretch you but is much more likely to be achieved given your circumstances.
Be realistic in your goal setting.
Relevant – Your goals should fit into the bigger picture of your life plan. A relevant goal should ask the following questions:
Answering these questions within the context of your current life circumstances will ensure that you’re less distracted and more motivated towards achieving your goal.
Time Bound – The final step in setting SMART goals is to give yourself a deadline. Give your goal a sense of urgency by assigning a specific date or time frame for the goal to be accomplished.
“Lose 25 pounds by July 1st” is a time bound goal. This gives you the ability to measure and work towards something specific.
Your goal can be specific, measurable, attainable and relevant, but if you leave it to be done “someday” you’re much less likely to fail.
You’ve gone through the first four steps of SMART goal setting, seal the deal by putting a deadline on your success.
2014 can be your year. It can be filled with successes large and small. Whether your goal is to lose weight, quit smoking, get out of debt or spend more time with your family, these goals can be achieved using the SMART formula for setting goals.
What tactics have you used to achieve your goals? What will you set out to accomplish this year?
By Marianne Williamson
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness That most frightens us.
We ask ourselves Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small Does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking So that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, As children do. We were born to make manifest The glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; It’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we’re liberated from our own fear, Our presence automatically liberates others.
If my wife had a nickle for every time I said those words she’d be a very rich woman.
I’m a great procrastinator. One of the best. If it were an olympic event, I’d place. I’d be standing on that platform while they place that medal around my neck then raise the American flag and play the Star Spangled Banner. I would make history. I just wouldn’t make much progress anywhere else.
That’s the problem I have found with procrastinating, it doesn’t solve anything. Whatever it is I’m putting off is still there, usually with a lot more urgency and stress associated.
I’ve come across a few tips in the battle against procrastination, I’d like to share them with you now.
Don’t wait to tackle your procrastination problem. It’ll eventually get the better of you at the worst possible time.
Do you struggle with procrastination? What ways have you come up with to fight the good fight?
Here are the 13 books I’ll be reading in 2013, more than one a month!
Wild at Heart
The Explicit Gospel
Spiritual Renewal in Your Family
How To Raise Money for Political Office
48 Days to the Work You Love
Team of Rivals
Never Eat Alone
Linchpin
Entre Leadership
Bringing Up Girls
Love and Respect
Decision Points
Courage and Consequence
Your thoughts?