Per my previous post, entitled Goal-Setting Process for Writing & More -Step 2: List-making, I have provided my top 3 goals in the following categories (goals I’d like to start on immediately, goals I’d like to start and complete in the next 3 months, and goals I’d like to start and complete within 3 – 6 months). See below.
- Immediate goals: drink enough water, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly.
- Next 3 months goals: write and self-publish book #2 with accompanying workbook, create and self-publish an audio book for Playground Instruction for the Growing Adult, and start volunteering in my community.
- Next 3 – 6 months goals: conduct public speaking engagements, create audio book for second book, and learn to format e-book and paperback versions.
Okay, so now that I have my top 3 goals in each category lined up, it’s time for me to put a little more umph in them. Let’s just say that I want to take them from being “basic” goals and “smarten” them up a bit. And, here’s what I mean.
A goal should be:
- S (Specific) – the goal has a clearly defined expectation that is communicated.
- M (Measurable) – the goal can be observed or compared and therefore assigned a number, value, amount, or estimation.
- A (Achievable) – the goal is challenging yet attainable, where the necessary resources are accessible.
- R (Realistic) – the goal has a relatable purpose and meaning to the desired outcome.
- T (Timely) – the goal has a certain timeframe for completion or a deadline attached to it.
A goal should be SMART! So, I’m going to take my 9 goals above and you’re going to take your 9 goals that you identified from your lists in step 2 of the Goal-Setting Process and we’re going to work on making our own goals SMART for next time.
If you read my blog post, entitled “Structure: Step #3 – Build Your Home with SMART Goals”, you’ll remember the exercise below. Feel free to use the example to help you formulate your SMART goals.
For the fun of it, let’s build a SMART goal from scratch. We’ll use the following basic goal and make it specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. Here’s the goal: I will exercise for my health.
Here’s the SMART goal I came up with: I will exercise to strengthen my heart by walking in the mornings (around my neighborhood or at the mall when the weather is uncooperative) for at least 5 days out of the week (Monday thru Friday) for 45 minutes to 1 hour a day.
degreesofmaternity.com 