February 5, 2008 at 10:08 pm
· Filed under Productivity
Tonight at my daughter’s swim practice I saw a quote on one of the coach’s t-shirts that was just too good not to share!
Think about it - this quote is applicable to every aspect of life. Whether you are trying to grow your business, maintain balance in your day or trying to lose weight, you can not expect to attain your goals without some form of plan in place.
A common technique is to use the SMART system of goal setting:
Specific - Define your goals - the more specific, the better. A goal to grow your business is too ambiguous. A better goal would be something along the lines of achieving a certain income level each month, producing a specific product, or reaching a specific number of clients.
Measurable - Choose a goal that can be measured so that you can see you are making progress. Be careful that you are not falling victim to percieved productivity, however.
Attainable - Make sure your goals really are attainable in a reasonable amount of time. Success breeds success and it is much easier to gain momentum if you are taking your larger goals one small step at a time.
Realistic - Take time to really think about your goal and how plausible it really is. If your goal is not realistic you will end up being disappointed.
Trackable - Your goals will be easier to meet if you can tangibly track your progress. Keep a journal or post your acheivements where everyone can see them. It will make it easier to get to where you are going.
You don’t have to do it alone, either. Gather your support system, declare your intentions and go after your goals. Ed Mills of Evolving Times has a great post on the 6 Support Systems to Put into Place Before You Need Them.
Are you working on a goal, or just wishing something will happen?Â
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Great post Char! It’s great to be reminded of the SMART method for all areas of life. And thanks for the link!
This is awesome and so true. How many times have I’ve been wishing and hoping instead of following a plan. I shudder to think.
Great post! Although, easier said than done~ it actually *IS* easier if you consciously try to be realistic and put things in writing. I kickstarted my own business with a “business plan” written on a napkin while drinking pots of coffee at Perkins Restaurant back in 2003 .. and, it’s still pegged to my pegboard in my office.
Aruni wrote @ February 11th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
So true! Just got around to reading this and stumbling it. 
[…] a strategy. Char said it well, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Wishes are granted. If you’re wishing, you want someone else in […]
Great Quote Char. Thanks for sharing it. I know from experience that when you can gather with friends that share the same goal as you and work to encourage each other — it works!
We have a group of us on Myspace that are working to lose weight before our 20 year high school reunion that falls this June. It’s neat to log on and see what everybody has accomplished for that day. Reading notes of encouragement inspires me to jump out of my chair and get it done for the day.
More importantly it’s a fun way. I think it’s important to figure out how to make it fun. Thanks again!
[…] you ever heard this saying? “A Goal Without a Plan is Just a Wish“Â It is so true! Monday Motivation gives you an opportunity to re-evaluate your goals and […]
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