What Are SMART Goals and Why You Need Them In Your Life
- Rebekah Gamble
- Sep 25, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 20, 2021
Everyone wants to be successful but it can be tricky knowing where to start. SMART goals allow you to clearly outline a plan of action specifically geared toward your lifestyle.
We sometimes throw our aspirations into the air with little intent behind them. We manifest with declarations but do little to contribute toward our desires. Yet, it wasn't always like that. Let's rewind a bit, remember when you were younger and a teacher forced you to write down goals?
I want to be President of The United States, own a business, and make a million dollars. I want a car and to move out by 18.
Great goals, impressive dreams, and an imagination, always makes our future seem bright.
But what adults left out when they said that anything was achievable is that you have to make it happen.
Unless you were born to privilege if you want to be wealthy, you have to create it. As much as we want to wish the things we want into existence the things we want in life will not be handed to us.
So how do you set in motion events that will lead up to your wildest dreams?
You make a plan, and figure out how it can fit your lifestyle. Keep reading to find out what SMART goals are and how you can implement them into your daily routine.
What does does SMART stand for?
(S)pecific -
“I want to get fit” is NOT a specific goal. There are so many parts of the body that you can work on.
Your goal needs to be something that you can identify clearly. Giving it a who, what, where, when, and why can help you narrow down a broad subject.
Example goal: “I want to go to bed at 11pm tonight.”
(M)easurable -
A simple way of thinking of it is by answering “yes or no” when asked if you reached it. If you can say that you "kind of" reached your goal then you were close but you did not make it.
It’s time to try again or reevaluate. Asking yourself did you go to bed at 11pm, is easier to gauge than asking if you went to bed early.
The latter has a loophole, if you usually sleep at 2am and you lay down at 1:58 am, you were early.
But was that what you meant when you originally set the goal?
(A)ction-
This is where the magic happens. List any factors that have to be considered in order to prepare yourself for your goal.
What lifestyle changes will you need to make? Does the goal involve anyone else or will it only change your routine? Do you have to make drastic changes? What preparation is needed?
If you're going to bed at a different time maybe you need to wake up earlier in order to complete your daily activities.
When I'm enrolled in classes I tend to use the last hour before I go to bed for self care. Now as I go to bed earlier, all of my evening homework, chores, studying etc. get moved up a time slot.
(R)ealistic-
Here you cut out ideas like "I want to lose 20 pounds in one week." Or "I want to go an entire day without eating" when you haven’t practiced fasting before.
You need to make the goals work for you, it’s the only way to succeed. Unrealistic goals will prompt you to quit faster and consider it a failure when it doesn't work out.
It’s all about the little things. Baby steps with your finances, lifestyle, and relationships.
Jumping all in or going cold turkey isn’t how you set yourself up for longterm success.
Instead create little habits that you’re less likely to break. It takes just over two months to establish a habit, so why stop when things get hard?
(T)ime -
How long will you do this? Insert where you say something like forever.
In actuality you want to maintain this new routine, if it can be repeated, for a week and then try again.
In 7 days you will go to class, work, pick up the kids, go grocery shopping, sleep and amongst other activities, wake up.
You’ll have good days and bad and once it hits the end of the week, it’s time to prepare again.
If your goal was to wake up early before your presentation on Tuesday, then your time frame is already set.
Why SMART goals work
Provide guidance
If you live in a poverty stricken neighborhood, didn't grow up with the best influences, your enviroment isn't ideal, or maybe you feel stuck, then you should make SMART goals.
We were all small children who dreamed of a bright world. We saw adventure and light where there is now danger and darkness. There was a list of pros where our minds now see cons.
Regardless of your current circumstances, or where you came from, we can still make it happen.
You want a house, a car, and endless vacations? Let us first work on studying for the permit test, and passing the exam. Then we'll get our license, create efficient saving habits , and adjust our living expenses.
With time and patience all of the necessary steps will fall into place.
Give structure
Budgeting is not always fun. It's writing down numbers, doing calculations, and being aware of what you can and can not spend. It's rewarding and leads to financial freedom but the process of becoming someone who uses a budget can be challenging.
When you use goal setting as a way to give purpose to your actions it makes what can be seen as a sacrifice worth it. Instead of being overwhelmed by the idea of clearing off your debt or saving for something you can start by breaking it down into manageable weekly activities.
In conclusion
SMART goals can be used in any area of your lifestyle. They make you feel like a winner and everyone likes to win. You can also read how to set SMART financial goals on blissfulwallet.com as well!
Make sure you drop a comment on what goal you want to work towards! SCROLL for your FREE financial guide.
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