Whether you’ve set your goals yet for 2020 yet or still need to, I’d like to encourage you not to settle for SMART goals, but to rather make them SMARTER.
I first learned about SMARTER goals through leadership expert, Michael Hyatt, and I have to say, they’re a no brainer. This one leadership practice can help you move to the next level in your leadership effectiveness. Here’s a quick overview:
SPECIFIC: Don’t make the goal broad or general.
MEASURABLE: Include an objective norm against which progress can be measured.
ACTIONABLE: Begin the goal with a verb.
RISKY: Set the goal high enough to demand your best effort and get you out of your comfort zone.
TIME BOUND: Set a deadline for the goal.
EXCITING: The goal needs to excite and inspire you, otherwise it’s pointless!
RELEVANT: Make the goal relevant to your season in life, your personal values and your other goals.
I’d also like to share four goal-setting practices with you that I’ve personally found very helpful for achieving my own goals:
- Know WHY the goal even matters to you in the first place. Ask yourself what’s at stake if you do / don’t achieve it.
- Write your goals down and keep them visible. Research shows that we are far more likely to achieve our goals if we write them down.
- Ask someone to hold you accountable, but be very selective about who you are ask. Accountability helps us keep momentum!
- Set aside time in your diary to review your goals regularly, identify the next step you need to take and then action accordingly.
I hope you find this useful.