If you’re chasing your dreams, the best way to track your progress is by creating milestones. Milestones allow you to see what you have accomplished and how you did it. Research has shown that people without goals are often less successful than those who have goals. Additionally, those who don’t write down their goals are less likely to achieve them.
In the last 10 years, I have learned how crucial goals are in achieving success. They help us gain momentum to push through the adversities we face while chasing our dreams. However, there has been a growing trend against setting goals. This trend is because many people feel terrible when they fail to meet their goals or never follow through with achieving them.
Despite this, setting goals is still essential. The problem for many people is that they haven’t created the right goals to help them succeed. Poor goal creation or fear often hold many people back from achieving their goals.
So, what’s the solution? The SMART goal system is a great starting point. However, to make your goals more effective, you need to add the “ER” to your goal setting. Here’s how to create your goals using the SMARTER system:
S – Specific: Create a specific goal that quantifies your results. For instance, if you want to lose weight, be specific about how much weight you want to lose or the weight you want to be at the end of your goal pursuit. A specific goal says, “I will weigh 200 lbs.”
M – Measurable: Your goal needs to be measurable to track progress over time. If your goal is to write a novel, be specific about it and make it measurable by tracking it. For example, “I will complete writing a 50,000-word novel.”
A – Actionable: Make your goal actionable by starting it with a verb, making it immediately clear what needs to be done to accomplish it. For example, “I will read 24 books.”
R – Relevant: Your goal needs to be relevant or relatable to your life. When setting goals, think pragmatically about what you want to do. Create goals that you can realistically accomplish at your stage in life. For example, “I will decrease my percent body fat by 10%; my start percent is X.”
T – Time-bound: Every goal needs a deadline to force you to take action in a specific timeframe. Create a timeline for when you want to achieve your goal. For instance, “I will write a 50,000-word novel by December 31st.”
E – Evaluate: Regularly evaluate your progress by reviewing your goals every week or month. This helps you remember what you are trying to accomplish and ensures that you take action every week.
R – Reward: Every goal and milestone needs a reward. Celebrate your milestones to stay motivated and be ready for the next step. For instance, if your goal is to pay off debt by December 31st, you can reward yourself by buying something for $100 that you wouldn’t usually buy.
In conclusion, goals are essential in achieving success. With the SMARTER system, you can create goals that are specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, time-bound, evaluated, and rewarded. Remember, you can’t change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.