SMART Being An Acronym For Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic And Timed.

SMART Being An Acronym For Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic And Timed.

• S = Specific

Your goals should be very specific right down to every last detail, a vague goal will not trigger your subconscious into action. If you set your goal as "I want to achieve more success in 2009," that is much to vague. Success can hold many different meanings for different people. Success for one person may be obtaining a promotion at work and for someone else it may be graduating from college.

• M = Measurable

Your goals have to be measurable such as "I want to have a new business of my own up and running within 6 months." Or if it is money related you need to be specific with the amount such as "I want to be earning $100,000 by September of this year."

• A = Actionable or Attributable

Setting a goal that is actionable means that you have to take some type of action to determine the outcome of reaching your goal. Setting goals that are not actionable is a waste of time. You need to have control over the outcome of the goal, such as if your goal was to be earning $100,00 by September of this year you are going to have to accomplish more on the job in order to deserve the raise in pay.

• R = Realistic

When setting goals you need to be realistic. You cannot set a goal to be a major league pitcher if you have no baseball skills. However if your handy and capable of doing construction your goal might be to build a deck around your swimming pool by June of this year.

• T = Timed

A well thought out goal must include a timescale and must not be open ended. Such as in the previous example of having a deck built around the swimming pool by June 1st of this year.

The previous goal of having the deck built is (S) specific because it states precisely what is to be accomplished and that is building a deck around the swimming pool.

The goal is also (M) measurable as you will clearly see the end result based upon how it was stated. It's (A) actionable because you would have to physically take action to build the deck and it is definitely (R) realistic providing you have the skills to accomplish the job.

And finally the goal is (T) timed because there is a date of completion attached to the goal as it was stated that the job would be completed by June of this year.

When you are setting goals for yourself resort back to the acronym SMART so you can easily remember all the attributes of setting goals that will lead to the success you desire.

We all must have a purpose in life, for some that purpose is more obvious and deliberate than it is for others. Jumping from one major purpose to another creates confusion in ones life and a real lack of direction.

I believe the reason that so many of us fall short of achieving our dreams is because we leave them as that, "Dreams." To turn your dreams in reality you must stop thinking of them as just dreams. The problem with dreams is that they are very seldom acted upon.

Many of us set out with good intentions but without a plan of action they soon fizzle out. I think this is evident in the act that so many of us take part in each and every year on the 1st of January. The day of the announced new beginning for so many in the form of a stated resolution.

On the 1st January every year people all over the world set resolutions. It seems to be a common trait among people that compels them to start a new year with a list of things they want to achieve. It might be anything from losing weight to finding a new job, buying a car, studying more diligently or having a more optimistic outlook on life.

At first glance it would appear that resolutions are not really goals, but loosely defined objectives or plans, e.g. to get a new job or to be a better parent. However, all resolutions can, with a little thought be reworded and redefined as SMART goals. Setting goals is the key to turning your dreams into your reality of course that is if you take action.

I have read a lot of books on goal setting and hundreds of articles and just as a lot of the motivational material one might read you are most excited immediately after. However in many cases that excite tends to fade away as fast as it came. Although there are a few audio programs that I listen to on a weekly basis as they help to keep me focused on the attainment of my goals and one of the best is "The Ultimate Goals Program" By: Brian Tracey

I don't think you could find a more complete goal setting program. The Ultimate Goals Program is not only thorough it is captivating which means you will never get bored and you are sure to learn something new with each time you listen to it. Check it out for yourself, it's a program that could change your life in ways you can only dream of.