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Setting Smart Goals: 3 Strategies to Help You Stay Committed

This may be a dumb question, but have you ever set a goal and failed to reach it?  If so, you're in good company; most people have. In fact, it’s very common for well meaning people to get stuck in an endless cycle of setting goals and abandoning them shortly afterwards – thus accomplishing nothing significant.  You may want to try setting smart goals instead.  This particular approach to setting smart goals consists of goals that have the following components:  

SMART | MEASURABLE | ATTAINABLE | REALISTIC | TIMELY

I believe the one of the biggest reasons is most people are just being interested in their goal.  But wait you ask. Isn't interest a good thing?  It is, but lacking commitment to achieve their goal is a big downfall. Without commitment to your goal, it  will eventually shrink in importance.  When this occurs, the temptation to give up  will seem much more attractive, especially when obstacles cause setbacks and delays; and they will!

On the other hand, if you become seriously committed and then continually remind yourself of it on a daily basis, you’ll be much more likely to persevere and start setting smart goals that you can actually achieve.  Here’s how to make a commitment to setting smart goals and achieving them:

1) First and foremost, you have to make sure that every goal you set is of COMPELLING for you. 

This can be tricky because we so often fool ourselves into thinking we want one thing when we want something entirely different. Be sure to spend time with this process.  Take steps to be certain that you get to the heart of what you really want. Why do you want it? What will it do for you? What positive things will it bring to your life? How will it help you? How will it make you feel when it’s accomplished? Think about the result you're trying to achieve.

Next, you want to write all of this down.  Be sure to keep it handy so you can refer to it as often as necessary.  This is key if you feel your commitment beginning to slip. Ask yourself if your goal is worth the effort and sacrifice that will be needed to achieve it. If you can honestly answer yes and it is compelling for you, you are on the way!

2) Think about the consequence if you don’t follow through. 

What will happen if you fail to achieve your goal? If there aren't any negative consequence, then you need to raise the stakes! You have to make your goal the most important thing in the world, and if you don’t do it, you’ll deal with negative consequences. Even if you have to indulge in a bit of “make believe” in order to do this, do it. For example, play up the fact that you’ll lose respect for yourself if you don’t follow through; or you might agree to give up something you love if you don’t make it happen.

3) Then, each and every day, renew your COMMITMENT. 

It’s easy to be committed when your goal is brand new.  It's at this time that your motivation is high.  However, you need to be able to STAY committed – no matter what! As you start a new day, read through the goal you wrote down.  Stress again how vitally important it is to you. Promise yourself that you’re going to do as much as you can to work on your goal that day, and every day until you achieve it.

In the final analysis, no one can achieve your goals for you. This is obvious but deadly true. You must first begin the process of setting smart goals if you want to achieve them.  You'll have to find the persistence and determination necessary to keep going. Inactivity and procrastination are usually just bad habits you may have picked up. Turning those habits into something more positive and productive is as simple as taking it one day at a time.  Just focus on working your hardest to change your life and get unstuck. The more committed and determined you are to making your goal happen, the more likely you’ll do just that.  The harder your work, the luckier you seem to get.

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