Getting SMART with Goals
Most people have heard of goals before, and perhaps put them in place. Goals are important for highlighting what is most important and meaningful for us and providing a road map to be able to get there.
What are goals?
Goals are the signposts of what we want to achieve, and the steps that we need to take to get there. Goals are best when they are important to us and aligned to our values, and are written down with the steps we need to take to accomplish them.
Why are Goals important?
Goals can be incredible useful in our lives. When we focus on setting goals that are aligned with what is important to us goals can help provide direction, assistance getting 'unstuck' and help to achieve what is most important in our lives.
When we are struggling in life with challenges or being in rut, it is easy to become discouraged. On way of breaking this cycle is to set new goals. Goals also help through providing focus. We all have experiences where we have worked incredibly hard at something and still not been happy. Life anything in life, if we are focused on the wrong direction it doesn't matter how hard we work there will not be the fulfillment we seek at the end of our efforts.
Through setting goals and achieving the small and big steps in the process there is also a sense of accomplishment that comes from starting to take back control of our life.
How to set effective goals.
One effective method of goals setting is using SMART goals. This is one way to break down the important aspects of goals, and it stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound. To start with think about three things that you would like to achieve in life that are of value to you. I will use an example of creating an exercise routine to show how they can work.
Specific – I will increase my fitness through going to a gym
Measurable – Going to the gym for 45 minutes four times a week
Attainable – I can fit this into my daily schedule and there is a gym nearby
Realistic – I am already walking 30 minutes three times a week
Time-bound – I want to achieve this in three months. I will start with two sessions a week for one month, three sessions for the second month and four sessions in the third month
Once you have your SMART goals it is crucial to make them visible. One way to do this is to write them down and put them where you will see them throughout the day such as the bathroom mirror or the fridge.
A counsellor can help you in forming your goals, checking that they are important to you and helping you to make them SMART. The support from a counsellor can also be a great place to celebrate your achievements, large and small, and provide encouragement for the times when you feel you could be off track or need help to refocus on your goals.
