It is very important to understand the fundamentals of setting SMERTIE goals and also learn the actionable tips that will make it easy to set and attain your goals. Read on and discover some effective tips for goal setting and help you to be the best you can be.
What Is SMERTIE Goal Setting?
To many people, goal setting refers to listing the things that you would like to achieve in the different areas of your life. However, you need to be aware that what most people do is write a wish list.
What really makes the difference in attaining your goals is the awareness of the price that you will have to be pay to achieve your goals.
For example: Think of this boating analogy when thinking about goal setting. Each sailor sets the rudder in the direction of their destination. Needless to say, that alone will not get you where you want to go. Instead, you have to invest effort (whether it is rowing using oars or powering up the engine) so that you move towards your goal.
One tried and true method is using the SMERTIE Goal setting method to get you focused. You are more likely to achieve a great, well-structured goal. It will also bring you a wonderful sense of pride, warmth, and motivation each time you read and reflect upon it.
SMERTIE goals should be written in the present tense and have several different components – all of which contribute to creating motivation, energy, confidence, and determination to reach your goal.
So, what does the acronym SMERTIE stand for?
S = Specific:
For your it to have meaning and relevance it must be very clearly defined. A clear and well-defined goal that is capable of answering questions as to what the outcome of the goal is. If you can imagine it with sufficient clarity; you can and will achieve it!
M = Measured:
A goal with specific criteria which measure your progress towards accomplishing it. Procrastination comes from fear. As you now know, fear is created when there is no clear, understandable, outlined plan of what to do to achieve a goal. So, when you are goal setting be aware that in the next session we will be breaking down your goal(s) into milestones. A good goal should be capable of being broken into smaller measured steps. (Start with the end in mind!)
E= Evidence:
You need to be able to show practical evidence that you can achieve this goal. You must be clear to understanding as to what evidence will be required to show that the goal(s) has been achieved. Ultimately, you set goals so that you may measure your progress in carrying out your life purpose. Whereas purpose is a journey, which never ends, goals are milestones along that journey and must, of necessity, have an end.
R = Responsibility:
No one ever achieved anything truly meaningful without taking full responsibility for achieving it. An effective goal is one that demands that you take full responsibility for taking the action required to manifest it.
T = Timeline:
The goals that you set must have a specific date or timeline by which you intend to achieve them. By setting a date for achieving your goal will make that goal come alive. A time horizon makes the goal finite, and it demonstrates to the subconscious that one is serious about achieving it!
I = Inspiring:
In life we do things for one of three reasons:
1. To avoid pain.
2. To gain pleasure.
3. Because we are inspired to do so. (Notice that ‘gaining pleasure’ is not necessarily an inspired activity)
To be inspired is to be living your dreams, to be aligned with your own inner values and loves – living ‘true to your heart’. When we are inspired, we manifest great things into our life to support and challenge us. The challenge helps us to grow and is necessary for great things to happen. You will do anything to achieve your goal.
E = Emotions:
Human beings are emotional beings. Everything we do is driven by our emotions. So, the question that I will be asking you is: “Describe how you feel when you think of yourself achieving that goal?”
Some tips to get you going:
- Always write in a positive way.
- Think about what you do want; not what you don’t want! Think about how you do want to feel not about how you don’t want to feel.
- Make sure there is nothing in your goal that reflects a dependence on someone or something else. In other words, ensure you are fully responsible.
- Once you have written the goal; step away from it for a while. Later, come back, take a look at it, read it out loud and see whether you feel truly inspired by it and emotionally connected with it. If so, you’re definitely on the right track!
- Above all, ensure that you are in the right frame of mind when you write goals. You need to be tolly in tune with what it is you want to achieve. You need to allow yourself to ‘smell the coffee’.
I truly hope that this was helpful to you.
If you need help creating your SMERTIE goals, contact Cora and book your complimentary 15-minute coaching session.