First, pick just one goal that you really want to accomplish.  Put your focus into achieving this goal only and then you can move onto the next one.  This might be a goal that you are already working on, but maybe you haven’t been consistent in moving it forward successfully.  Well, stick with that one and build your confidence knowing that you are one step to attaining it each day.

Next, take that goal and write it down.  Put in a place where you will be certain to see it several times a day.  This says that you are committed to it, and that you really want it.  It’s not just something in your subconscious.  It is a visible, written statement about what it is your striving for.

This next step is equally as important and that is tracking your progress.  You must do this everyday.  This can be as simple as jotting down a note on a calendar, or  writing it down in your journal-.  It could mean that you have a support person, family or friend, whom you report to each day (or week) about the progress you are making in achieving your goal.  Studies by experts have concluded that if you can successfully put into practice your goal for twenty-one consecutive days you are well on your way to tackling the next goal.

You cannot possibly do any of this without ensuring that you have some “me” time in your life set aside to realize your dream.  Whatever time of day works best for you, early morning, late night, or lunchtime, make sure this is when you are successfully working on your goal.  Don’t give yourself excuses such as you don’t have enough time.  Make sure you allot yourself the “me” time you need to work on yourself.  You’re worth it.

Possibly the most difficult step to achieving our goals is being firm.  I mean with ourselves, in that only we can do the work that needs to be done to accomplish our goals.  You have to really want it, be committed, and yet be somewhat flexible to ensure that you can carry on when life throws you a curve ball.  Think only positive thoughts and don’t put any negative words into the mix or you will certainly extinguish the flame you have lit that keeps your dreams burning bright.

Take some time to set a S.M.A.R.T. goal, write it down, put it somewhere visible where you can see it throughout the day, track your progress, ensure you have set aside enough “me” time, and remain POSITIVE, POSITIVE, POSITIVE.  Last but not least, take time to celebrate your accomplishments.  Enjoy that feeling of success that comes over you for a job well done, and the excitement you feel knowing you are one step closer to achieving your dream.

I’ll end this with another quote I stumbled across by a lady named Kathy Seligman, an independent fundraising consultant in the United Kingdom, who stated, “You can’t hit a home run unless you step up to the plate.  You can’t catch a fish unless you put your line in the water.  You can’t reach your goals if you don’t try.”

S.M.A.R.T. Goals

It’s extremely unusual to find a person without any goals. In fact, most of us have them, even if we don’t know it. Taking that dream vacation is a goal and buying a new car is a goal. Practically all of the things that you want to achieve or obtain in your life are goals. The challenge with goals is in not setting ourselves up for failure; in other words, having goals that are “S.M.A.R.T.” goals.

A “S.M.A.R.T.” goal is one that is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and has Timely expectations. Only by looking at all of these points can we be sure that our goal is in fact attainable, or is even one that we truly want to achieve. Let’s look at these points individually to find out why:

**Specific** A goal that is not specific has no roadmap. Meaning there is no way to plan out how you are going to achieve it. By planning out the details of your goal by asking yourself when it will happen, how it will happen, why you want it to happen, you can begin taking the steps needed to get to your objective. Taking a trip with a vague destination and no roadmap will only get you lost and the same is true of goals.

**Measurable** A goal needs to be measurable in order for you to have that feeling of accomplishment at the end. Your goal should have some standard by which you are able to measure your success. This will ensure that each time you make a positive step toward your goal, you will know it and feel the sense of accomplishment that you have earned.

**Attainable** Goals that are unreasonable certainly cannot be achieved. If you want to become a doctor, but you are unwilling, or unable to go to school, your goal is unattainable. Setting unreachable goals is quite simply setting yourself up for failure. You need to ensure that your goals are something you are able to achieve. This doesn’t mean you can’t reach for the stars, but if you want to be a doctor, you need to be prepared for the hard work that comes along with that. For each goal you set, you must ensure that you have the ability, knowledge and money necessary. If you don’t, is there a way you could gain these?

**Realistic** Having unrealistic goals, like having unattainable ones, is setting yourself up for failure. Wanting to be the President of the United States is a lofty goal, but how realistic is it if you are currently an electrician? Ask yourself if you truly believe there are steps you can take to achieve your goal. If there are, then your goal is realistic.

**Timely** A goal without a timeframe is more of a hope for the future than an actual goal. Setting a date by which you want to achieve your goal will ensure that you work towards realizing it at a rate that will allow you to achieve it within the given timeframe.

You may not be able to accomplish every goal that you set, but I can almost guarantee that you can achieve a “S.M.A.R.T.” goal. Ask yourself if your goal is a “S.M.A.R.T.” one and then start planning how you will succeed.

Let’s take a moment to review the concept of “S.M.A.R.T.” goals; goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and have timely expectations.  Make sure that the goal you are working toward is something that you really want.  Remember that a goal that you set for yourself cannot contradict other goals in your life.  For instance, if you want to try every pizzeria in Montreal, but you have also set a goal to lose twenty pounds in the next six months, well something has got to give and it won’t be the twenty pounds if you decide visiting the pizzeria’s is a priority.

No one said it was going to be easy, but you have to consider six areas of your life when you start setting your goals, so that you don’t go against other equally important aspirations.  Most commonly these areas are divided into family and home, financial and career, spiritual and ethical, physical and health, social and cultural, as well as mental and educational.

It’s also important to consider writing your goals in a positive, rather than in a negative statement, including as much detail in the statement as possible to ensure that you have put parameters around realizing your goals.  Don’t make it too easy.  The best way to visualize your goals is to write them down and review them each morning and evening.  Practice visualization on a consistent basis because this process will start both your subconscious and conscious mind working towards achieving your goal.

Daily decision-making can either lead you away from your ultimate goal, or take you closer to it.  When you make choices during the day, consider your goal.  If your choice doesn’t move you closer to your goal, it may be time to make a value assessment to determine if in fact this is the right decision at this time.  And, unless someone is critical to helping you achieve your goal, do not freely share your thoughts with others.  The negative attitude from friends, family and neighbours can sometimes drag you down quickly.  It is very important that you maintain positive self-talk.

Next time, we’ll break down how to create your S.M.A.R.T. goals and put it into practice everyday.  Remember, a goal is really a dream with a deadline.

Until next time,
Liz Cascagnette
Envision Career Coaching
Dream It! Define It! Get It! Live It!