How to be SMART to achieve your goals

As we approach the end of May and move into June, I am beginning to look at setting some goals for my business for the next few months.  This gave me the idea to share with you the process that I am using to help you too.  This is for any type of goals you may be chasing.


The steps to challenge yourself to achieve your goals are: SMART.


Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Timely


Specific means to be as specific as you can in your end goal.  For example,  instead of saying "I want to loose weight" (too vague and general), say "I want to loose 10 lbs of fat".  Be as specific as can be.  Instead of "I want to start a business", say "I want to start a computer repair business".


Measurable means breaking your final goal into smaller steps that can be measured.  A good example is breaking down the 10 lb fat loss goal down to 1.5 - 2 lb loss per week.  They are small, yet you can see your progress towards your final goal.


Attainable means setting goals that can be reached with a little effort.  Obviously, the goal "becoming a millionaire" is not achievable in a month.  "Earning $8,000 per month" is more easily achievable.


Relevant means asking relevant to your situation.  Let's say your goal was to get a college degree in four years.  Is this realistic?  Have others done this?  Will your lifestyle  allow you you to meet this goal?"  If you're a single parent, it may be possible...if not, you may need to adjust your goal to say get it done in five or six years instead of four.


Timely means giving yourself deadlines to meet your goals.  The person wanting to loose 10 lbs could have a deadline of 12 weeks.  The future business owner could say they want to start their business in three months.  Perhaps you are being sent on a business trip to Germany and you decide to learn some German in three weeks.