Unlike the other concepts I write about with acronyms, the idea of S.M.A.R.T Goals is not something I can take credit for. This concept is being taught in business schools all over the world. However, my one-of-a-kind, trademark pending C.H.O.I.C.E Plan integrates this indisputable, time-tested concept because I think my Plan would be incomplete without it. Before you can create a plan of action towards the goals you want to achieve, it is imperative that you first properly define what these goals are. You cannot properly measure your success in achieving your goals if you cannot define them. That is why it is crucial that you Choose S.M.A.R.T goals that are:
In our C.H.O.I.C.E Plan workshop, we go into a lot more detail about these goal metrics and even provide you with meticulously created templates and tools you can immediately use to better define your own S.M.A.R.T goals. You can also view the questions written below to determine whether your goals are S.M.A.R.T or D.U.M.B.
Yay for spontaneity in writing! While I was writing this post, I actually came up with this new acronym! I love acronyms as I feel they are so much easier to remember, which is especially helpful for business owners who have a million things to concern themselves with! While writing, I kept hearing the well-known sarcastic joke in my head, “If I don’t have a smartphone, I must have a dumb phone.” and assumed that you (the readers) might have a similar thought process regarding these S.M.A.R.T goals. If your goals aren’t currently S.M.A.R.T, then they are inherently D.U.M.B.
Please note, this acronym is not meant to sound harsh or offensive. Your goals are never truly “dumb”. However, it could be considered “dumb” to focus on goals that meet the D.U.M.B characteristics outlined above as it could result in a huge waste of your valuable time, money, and resources! As we discussed in the S.T.A.R.T Mindset blog (refresh your memory by clicking here!), you have to be a responsible Steward of your business and your resources so it would be prudent of you to be a discerning business owner and focus on S.M.A.R.T goals instead.
By asking yourself some of the questions posed below and considering the S.M.A.R.T goal characteristics, you can easily transform your D.U.M.B goals into S.M.A.R.T ones!
Questions...
Can you discern WHY these goals are important to you?
Did you double-check that your goals are S.M.A.R.T and not D.U.M.B?
Can you separate them into categories like family, professional, etc.?
Can you further define them in a quantifiable way? (i.e number of hours, dollars, or widgets sold).
Can you assign a realistic, time-based deadline to meet your goal?
Do you think your goals are attainable and relevant to your purpose?
By asking yourself some of the questions posed above and considering the S.M.A.R.T goal characteristics, you can easily transform your D.U.M.B goals into S.M.A.R.T ones!
If you are interested in booking me to present this comprehensive workshop at your business or want a custom, one-on-one strategy session, please contact me at [email protected] or by clicking the button at the bottom of this page!
