Using S.M.A.R.T Goals

I’ve struggled with the “T” as well.

In fact, I don’t use it.

I’ve learned that I’m not a very good judge of how long things take.

Tasks typically take me a lot longer to do, and I have no control over the results.

SMART assumes that you do.

It’s a myth.

So you have to commit yourself to a path, and then stay with it long enough for it to produce the results you want.

And it may be that it will take three months or six months for you to get enough exposure to determine that it isn’t working.

But every entrepreneur has to discover what that length of time is for him / her.

It will be different for you.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Yvonne A Jones

The process I learned a few years ago – and have adapted a little – is The ONE Thing process

that Gary Keller and Jay Papasan teach in their Book – THe ONE Thing

It’s so powerful to me to ask myself, what is the one thing I can do today that will make everything else irrelevant or unimportant?

And of course this process nests . . . once you do that ONE THING – your day might be done, or you might have time to ask the question and do the NEXT THING . . .

Sean

1 user thanked author for this post.

Yvonne A Jones

Concerning a timebound goal, I find that setting a deadline is a good idea, even if you miss your deadline.
Setting a goal to be achieved ‘someday’ never gets achieved (which I’m sure no one in this thread is arguing 🙂 )

This being said, I find that some outside pressure in the form of an upcoming class, coaching call or lesson I have to deliver is a great motivator.

Even when no one showed I always taught my classes and sent the recordings out even if it was to a select group of nonpaying subscribers.
This way I was prepared to deliver the material and moved one step closer.

One of my mantras is always have someone to learn from and someone to teach. The person you learn from should require ‘homework’ and if they don’t, require it from yourself. Then teach what you are learning to make sure you are not just learning, but actually absorbing the information to the point that you can share what you’ve learned.

This can be a formal relationship such as a coach and student or a casual accountability partner.
I learned the basics of this from my Dad years ago as I watched him master things he wanted to learn.

To answer your question -“Is there another system you currently use or used in the past that has worked well for you?”

The best advice I can give is to take the time to get real clarity about your goal.

One of my favorite exercises is the 7 levels of Why.
1) Ask yourself what is IMPORTANT to you about becoming, having or doing what you want to do?
2) Once you get that answer replace the “becoming, having or doing what you want to do” with your previous answer.
3) Repeat this question (each time including your new answer/awareness) 7 levels deep to find what the true motivator is for you.

It’s not an easy exercise and it is very tempting to end early so you don’t get too emotional.
But if you take it seriously and ask 7 levels deep you can often find a motivator that will help you through just about anything.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Mark Rhodes, Bruce Hoag