In many leadership and management circles, goal-setting plays a key role in motivation and production. A central theme arose giving an outline as to how those goals should be developed, known as SMART goals.
SMART Goals for Great Results
SMART goals are those that are:
* Specific - A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. * Measurable - Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. * Attainable - When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. * Realistic - To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. * Timely - A goal should be grounded within a time frame.
However, the paradox of obtaining these grand results requires both having a smart goal AND a smart action plan. Goals without actions produce nothing; actions without goals will wear you out without accomplishment. It is key that these be combined to produce achievement.A Smart Plan for those SMART Goals
Moving yourself or your group into motion can be made easy by taking the first step (mentioned above) and having an overall goal that is known and achievable. Achievement comes as a result of you moving through your action plan toward the goal.
Taking the proper first steps in an action-plan are vital, as missteps can cause delay in obtaining that goal, or worse-case, cause you to restart your journey under a new set of circumstances.
So, let’s look at a simple analogy for you to form your goal-achieving, results-oriented action plan.
1) Of course, having your SMART goal in place is the best first step. Unless you’re just traveling for fun, you need a destination to determine the best route.
2) Now that you know where you’re going, what do you need to get there? What form of transportation, what supplies, and who are your traveling partners?
+ Transportation is our method of action; i.e., losing weight usually requires diet and exercise, landing a dream career may require education and experience, etc.
+ Supplies are those items needed that don’t necessarily create the end result, but utilizing them along the way helps us get there; i.e., diet and exercise might equate to healthy foods or workout equipment; education and experience might equate to college courses or working in other lateral/vertical job positions, etc.
+ Traveling partners are those who are either working toward the same goal or helping you in the pursuit of yours; synergy and motivation flow from traveling partners. These are your network, your references, your stimulus.
3) You have a destination in mind, the vehicle is fueled and packed, and you should just get on the road to success, right? Not quite. Any chance someone packed a map? Take some time to see what roads and towns best get you to your destination.
In other words, break down your overall goal into smaller, ‘quick-win’ goals, and set the course to get those done. The journey won’t seem so toiling when you can see immediate results toward your overall success.
4) On your way to achievement, don’t forget to stop and talk to the locals! That will be a waste of good traveling time, you say. Not really. It’s always good to know the best roads, where construction is taking place, and what obstacles might be down the way. And if you happen to get lost, it doesn’t hurt to ask for directions.
What if the information provided to you by those more experienced shortened the time to completion of your goal, or provided you additional skills to prepare you for opportunities or dilemmas that can make or break you getting that much closer?
5) During any long travel, pulling over to stretch and rest isn’t uncommon. Every once in a while, take some time to re-evaluate your current situation, check the supplies, and make sure you are still headed in the right direction.
6) Look, there’s the city limits sign! By now, you’re in the final leg of your travels, and are the brink of answering “Yes!” to the unending “Are we there yet?” Keep your eyes open wide and finish!
Your goal is all but achieved. Now is the time for total focus. Complete that which you have worked for all along. Don’t allow outside influences, which you have overcome thus far, stop you now. You are at the conclusion of a job well done.
7) You’ve made it! You have arrived at your final destination, for now. Enjoy your victory; relish that what you set out to do, you’ve (or your group) made it happen. But fulfilling your objective and completing that goal is not all that you’ve accomplished. You’ve set a plan, worked that plan, learned from choices, made adjustments when needed, united with others, and so much more – you’ve experienced the journey…an accomplishment in and of itself.
