Many of us wait until the scramble of December 31st or the ease of the day on January 1st to work on our plans for the New Year. Is that really smart?
Don’t settle just for a New Year’s resolution heading into 2019. Your intentions should be so much more than simply
“Out of sight – out of mind.”
Play it smart!
As part of my December inspiration – 12 days designing 2019 Facebook Live Series – I talked about smart goals – those that you establish using the simple acronym S.M.A.R.T. Most people understand this to mean:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Realistic
- Time-bound
And that’s all fine and good. But I would like to suggest that if that’s ALL that your goals are, then you haven’t dreamed big enough! Dare to make it difficult – to dream big!
If your dream or intention was easy – you would already have achieved it! If you already knew everything you needed to know – you would be there.
BHAG
When you are truly in touch with your heart, and you’ve given ear to your heart’s desires – when you’ve asked yourself “What do I want?” – you discover that this is a BHAG.
- Big
- Hairy
- Audacious
- Goal
So, I invite you to understand smart goals as being much more significant, meaningful, action-packed, relevant & tangible than a simple SMART goal. Achievable & realistic should not diminish your intentions. Don’t take outstanding and make it into mediocre, just because you asked yourself if it was “realistic”.
What does it take to turn a dream into a goal? In order to turn a dream into a goal, you need to dive into the details of what & how. You need to establish mile-markers – how will I know that I am achieving this? What are the markers that I will notice on the way?
If your aim is to get fit, you might establish a goal of running a 10km race on May 15th. Your mile-markers might well be running two 5km races in March & April, as you prepare yourself physically and mentally for this new challenge.
If your S.M.A.R.T. goal is to have a better relationship with your kids, perhaps ask yourself:
- how many times will you have one-on-one time with each child each week or month?
- Where will you go?
- What activities does each kid like to do?
- What family outings might they enjoy doing together?
- How will you know that you are effectively building a better relationship with your children? What will you feel? What will they demonstrate?
Write it up!
Take the time to write them down.
Clearly define “why”. Find your “why” in your heart – what you truly desire. How do you want to feel in 2019? How would you like to connect with yourself, your dreams, and others? This why should clearly satisfy your deepest hungering and your needs.
The purpose of writing down your goals should also answer – which of these are achievable in the short term, mid-term & long term? Long-term goals are not achieved in a month: so break it down into actionable steps. What achievements (mile-markers) are you aiming for each month along the way?
Plan it out – all the steps – otherwise, if you fail to plan, you will undoubtedly fail. Not just the ultimate goal – the process of getting there. You might find yourself following a completely different plan – once you actually start taking steps along the way. The plan the change. Circumstances will, no doubt, change. But your ultimate goal – the “why” – will not vary.
But at the very beginning – it’s a very healthy exercise to write up – the goal, the strategy and the process of getting there. You will learn so much about yourself, your fears & limiting beliefs, the potential obstacles you will encounter, and the resources you will need along the way. This ensures greater success!
Buddy up!
All of that is not enough without taking appropriate action and following through. Who will hold you accountable for completing your goals? Do you have a buddy or someone to talk to in case you lose focus or start to fail to follow through?
Situations & events will arise. You will inevitably start to focus on putting our fires or dealing with day-to-day issues – getting lost in the trees and failing to see the big picture of the forest. Who is the person that will pull you out and remind you of the bigger picture? Who will ask you the pertinent questions that will enable you to see that what you are working on today is leading you to achieve the year-long goal? You need that person. The one that ensures your consistent follow-through.
I am sure that your goal for 2019 is not “I want to be busy“. So why don’t you get busy deciding what you will give importance to in 2019!
Be thoughtful.
Ensure there is clarity.
Make sure those intentions matter.
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