When it comes to setting goals, chances are you\u2019ve heard about the importance of setting goals that are SMART, that is: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. If you\u2019re able to answer each of the following questions in the affirmative, you\u2019ll know you\u2019ve set a goal that\u2019s SMART: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
S<\/strong>pecific \u2013 Does your goal use action words to state what you want to achieve and how you intend to achieve it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n M<\/strong>easurable \u2013 Does your goal use metrics to specify how you will track your progress and how you will <\/strong>know that you\u2019ve achieved <\/strong>your goal?<\/p>\n\n\n\n A<\/strong>chievable \u2013 Is your goal within your span of control and possible for you to accomplish?<\/p>\n\n\n\n R<\/strong>elevant \u2013 Does your goal make sense to you <\/em>and your unique set of circumstances, including your priorities? <\/p>\n\n\n\n T<\/strong>ime-bound \u2013 Does your goal specify a date by which, or timeframe within which, you expect to accomplish it? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n While setting SMART goals is great, setting SMARTER goals is even greater! So, in addition to setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, why not set goals that are also Energizing and Rewarding?<\/p>\n\n\n\n E<\/strong>nergizing – Is your goal something that you genuinely want for yourself? In other words, does your goal align with your life\u2019s vision, mission (also known as your life purpose), and values (please see my article, entitled How to Live an Integrated Life<\/a>, for more on this topic)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n R<\/strong>ewarding \u2013 Does your goal involve the receipt of something that is of value to you, e.g., a cash <\/strong>prize for superior performance? <\/p>\n\n\n\n While setting SMARTER goals is even greater than setting SMART goals, setting the SMARTEST goals of all is greater still! So, in addition to setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound, and Energizing, why not set goals that are also Self-reinforcing (rather than simply Rewarding) and Transformative? <\/p>\n\n\n\n S<\/strong>elf-reinforcing \u2013 Does your goal involve the generation of positive emotions, e.g., the sense of pleasure experienced while engaging in a particular activity, the feeling of pride that accompanies a job well done, or the \u201chelper\u2019s high\u201d (stemming from a rush of endorphins) that results from offering others assistance?<\/p>\n\n\n\n T<\/strong>ransformative \u2013 Does accomplishing your goal offer the potential to realize a meaningful and lasting change in you and\/or your life circumstances?<\/p>\n\n\n\n