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How to Create Fool-Proof Short Term Goals
We have all heard that the best way to go about achieving our short term goals is with SMART goals. But if attaining our short term goals were as simple as making them SMART, why aren’t more people achieving like crazy using this standard and often-repeated mantra?
Here is what this acronym leaves out about achieving your short term goals:
Goals are a Messy Business.
The process of setting goals is a dirty one. The SMART principles don’t acknowledge this. Our plans fall apart, our self-confidence and pride get tested to the point of breaking, and more often than not, those glorious short term goals at the end of the rainbow starts to look a little less glorious once we’ve shed some blood, sweat and tears. Go into the journey knowing that things won’t go awesome 100% of the time and be prepared to navigate the difficult parts.
Don’t Repeat Your Mistakes.
Seems like a no-brainer, but you would be amazed at how many people fall back into their old way of doing things. It’s not our fault—we are creatures of comfort and habit, even if those habits are bad. If you failed at getting that promotion you want, try a new approach. If that fails, try again until you find what works. Finding the right way to achieving your short term goals is often a trial-and-error process. Painful, but it’s much faster and a whole lot more productive than doing the same thing repeatedly and achieving the same dismal result.
Stay Away from Absurd Short Term Goals.
These often fall into the “all-or-nothing” category. An example: “I am going to run 10 kilometres every single day.” This goal leaves no room for error or more importantly—life. What happens if you get sick? Injured? Have a social commitment that prevents you from being able to run? Setting impossible goals gives us a huge reason for failure shortly down the road. Allow yourself a little wiggle room with your short term goals.
Whether You Like it or Not, Setbacks are Going to Happen.
In the process of setting short term goals we cannot plan for everything that happens. You can’t predict the weather, someone else’s feelings, or how the stock market is going to feel tomorrow. Realize that things will not always go your way—it’s how you react when that first obstacle comes hurtling down at you that ultimately matters. The outcome of your short term goals depends on your ability to have a grander vision when the small battles of day-to-day life don’t go your way.
Don’t Make Massive Changes Overnight.
A frequently overlooked aspect to setting short term goals is the fact that it takes time to mould ourselves into the person we want to be. Trying to change numerous bad habits in the blink of an eye is ambitious considering that it took years, possibly even decades to form those pesky habits to begin with.
Avoid Publicizing Your Short Term Goals Till You Absolutely Know It’s What You Want.
Before declaring to all of your friends, family and neighbours that you are going to lose twenty pounds in the next two months make sure it is something you are absolutely going to follow through with. Try not to be one of those people who freely talks about doing amazing things and never get around to doing them; instead, be that rare person who simply does them.
Don’t Wait. Ever.
Putting off starting your short term goals, or the next step in your goal, makes sure that you will never get to it. Procrastination is a polite way of saying you are not going to do it. If your short term goals mean something to you, there shouldn’t be a single, solitary reason for not acting now. The only thing standing between you and accomplishing all of your short term goals is action.
One Piece: Grand Adventure — Nefeltari [Nefertari] Vivi
