Keeping Your Goals Achievable

There are so many ways to do things badly, and we often set ourselves up to fail from the start by the way we set our goals.

Many people follow the S.M.A.R.T. goal system, and that's a good place to start.

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Realistic

Time-Bound

Each of these is important in setting goals that you can reasonably expect to meet.

I could go through each element of the SMART goal setting system, but so many people do that, and you can find any number of blogs and sites that walk you through goal-setting.

Today, I would like to mention a mistake people make in setting goals that sets them up for failue.

My example is this goal: Sell 3 paintings this month.

Specific, yes.

Measurable, yes.

Achievable and Realistic... maybe. Can I complete 3 paintings? Sure. can i list 3 paintings? Sure. can I sell them? Well, that depends largely on whether the right person sees them. By leaving part of my goal up to someone else, I have set myself up for potential failure.

I can still set the goal, but i must be prepared for the possibility that the correct buyer will not see the painting in the goal's timeframe.

When setting goals, understand that you can only expect to achieve the items you have control over. When there are elements beyond your control built into the goal, you increase the chance of missing the mark.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't rely on someone else for help. Indeed, sometimes help from others makes a world of difference.

Group goals exist as well, and must rely on multiple people.

My point in this post is just to remember that only you are responsible for reaching your goals. Make certain your individual goals are achievable without relying on someone else to complete them.