SMART goals: How they can help you fulfill your dreams

SMART goals: How they can help you fulfill your dreams

The beginning of a year is a great time to set new goals and intentions. But the initial excitement can quickly fade once you have to face the struggle of actually fulfilling them. 

Sometimes it may seem like you’re working hard but not getting anywhere. Three, five, and 10 years pass, and nothing changes. As you self-reflect, the ‘failures’ can create self-doubt. But the problem is not within you, it’s most likely within the way you create your plans. Vague goals don’t get done – even if they are spectacular ideas. 

An excellent solution that could help you use your time and resources productively is SMART – an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relatable, and time-bound.

Why SMART goals are the way to go

Be careful what you wish for! It’s easy to come up with ambitious goals, but creating a path to lead you to stars is as important (or – perhaps – even more critical). A fantastic technique for creating achievable goals is SMART. Whether you need help defining your business/project goals or wish to have a larger plan for your life, this method will help you reach new heights.

According to SMART, your goals should be:

Specific

When thinking about your future, you should ensure your goals have a specific objective. Being vague won’t get you anywhere. For example, instead of creating a goal to earn a lot of money, pick a particular number. Let’s say – 10 000 by the end of the year. This way, it will be easier for you to figure out how to reach your goal.

Ask yourself these questions: What is my goal? Why is this important to me? What resources do I need? 

Measurable

It’s easy to lose motivation and excitement if you don’t see any progress. That’s why it’s so important to ensure your goals are measurable. Decide what is going to prove you you’ve achieved your goal and are on the right path.

Achievable

In order for your goal to be achievable, it should be realistic. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dream big. We’re all for it! But when you set up a goal, you should think about ways to realistically accomplish it. During this step, you’ll be able to identify opportunities that you mightn’t have noticed before.

Relevant

If we’d all do only what we truly want, we’d live in a much better world. Unfortunately, for many people, their goals aren’t really theirs. When planning your upcoming endeavors, you should ensure your dreams do matter to you. 

To understand this, ask yourself these questions: Why is this goal worthwhile? Why now? Is this necessary? 

Time-bound

While it might seem less stressful not to have a deadline lurking on you, your SMART goal should have its end date. This way, you’ll get a sense of urgency, which, in turn, will make you more motivated to take action. Answer these questions: When will you accomplish the goal? What’s the timeline?

End notes

The first step to achieving your goals is setting them the right way. Use this SMART goal map, our Cloudberry planner, and you’ll have more clarity on what has to be done.