Let’s Start Smarter

Date: January 10, 2018

Let’s Start Smarter
By: David Freund, Chief Leadership Officer                                                                                                                            

We are now well into the new year, and it’s high time I get back to those goals we were talking about. Last year I learned from Michael Hyatt a new version of SMART goals that I would like to share with you. Our goals need to be SMARTER.

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Actionable
  • Risky
  • Time-Keyed
  • Exciting
  • Relevant

For the purpose of this email, I will only address the new aspects of SMARTER goals.

Actionable – When looking at your goals you need to determine if you can move to action. This step helps us clarify the goal better. When writing the goal out, make sure your goal statement begins with a verb. Goals without action are not goals at all. Start with words like exercise, read, complete, strengthen, or learn.

Risky – This one might be a bit scary, but you need to pick goals that are bold and will require your best. Picking goals that are too easy will not be rewarding and will not lead you to the next level in your development. I know what you are thinking, “What if I can’t do it?” Well, if you never jump into water over your head, how do you know how tall you are? We need to take risks in life to grow. My mentor Paul Martinelli loves to say, “Just jump and grow your wings on the way down.”  Perhaps the goal you are the most scared to set will be the one that changes your life the most.

Exciting – Are your goals exciting? Really exciting? The more exciting your goals, the more likely you are to spend the time and energy needed to achieve them. I know what you are thinking “How can exercise be exciting?” The key is to find ways to make our goals exciting. Find ways to exercise that are enjoyable and fun. Look for healthy menus that bring new variety into your life. Plan special opportunities to be with those you love.

When picking SMARTER goals, you need to take the time to do it correctly. Think through what it is that you want to achieve and why. Join Marisa and me on The Next Page podcast as we take a deeper dive into goal setting. We will identify additional tactics that will help you become even more successful in achieving what you want in 2018.

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