Setting Goals, Be SMART

      We’ve all been told that we need to set goals. That is easy. We set goals every morning. I’ll go do this or I’ll complete this task by noon, noon comes and goes, and said goal is still unmet. Sound familiar? Simply saying I want… is no more beneficial than writing down a goal in your journal and forgetting it. 
    Ok now that we have reiterated what doesn’t work, let’s discuss what will help you accomplish your goals. Setting SMART (Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic and Timely) goals will help you master and obtain everything that you lay out for both the short and long term. 
A.    I want to be an Honor Roll student.
B.    I will be an Honor Roll student this semester by obtaining an A+ in Biology, A+ in Math, A in English and a B in Science. 
   Look at the two statements. If I told you these were goals set by two different people, who do you think would reach their goal? 
Statement B is specific. We know immediately what the individual hopes to achieve, when and how. Details are important. The more you describe your goal the easier it is to create a plan of action. Looking at statement A the wording says I want. I want is similar to saying I wish or I hope; these are simply words blowing in the wind. I will says I am actively moving towards something and I will not stop until I am victorious. 
Measurable speaks to the way the goal will be evaluated throughout the process. We can measure receiving a grade. We can refer to progress reports, PTA meetings, quizzes and test scores. There are ways to see if we are moving in the right direction and how to maintain this trajectory or if we need to do something different.  
Achievable- Can you actually achieve this goal? You need to ask yourself this question, but this shouldn’t be a feat that is too easy to accomplish.  For example, if you currently have an A+ in Biology this isn’t a realistic goal. If you want to push yourself more in Biology maybe initiate AND complete an independent research project. At all times our goals should push us to be a better person, not make us lazy or complacent. 
Realistic- complements achievable perfectly. Do you have the skills and or resources to make this goal a reality? If not, are you willing to do what it takes? Being realistic doesn’t mean that your dreams are short sighted or that you have to only set goals for the things that you can fathom, but it does mean that you are fair to yourself. Nothing is beyond your reach if you set the proper timeframe and push yourself. 
Timely- Setting the correct timeframe is vital to success. Too long and your ego may expand greatly due to a false reality you unintentionally created, too short and you may never reach your goals.  The best way to view timeframes is to look at it as currency. For example if you want to buy something that costs .99 and you have .58 this is unrealistic. On the other hand if you have a $5 bill and a $100 bill and the item costs $ 4.50 and you pay with the $100 you have not used your resources well. We have to set goals that challenge us, but aren’t too easy to reach. What’s the fun in winning all of the small battles if we never win the war?
Achieving your goal doesn’t have to be difficult, if we are SMART. Keep these tips in mind as you work towards your mark:
•    Stay SMART.
•    Write your goals in a visible area and visit them every day.
•    Turn your goals into daily affirmations. You can repeat them as many times as you’d like throughout the day. Remember to always start with I am or I will and include the timeframe you hope to accomplish said milestone.
•    Have an accountability partner. They are there for both moral and mental support. This person should check in with you often and help you remain motivated to reach your goals.
•    You won’t always reach every goal on target and that is ok. Evaluate why this happened, look for patterns and adjust.
Go forth and prosper!