What is smart goal setting?
Smart goal setting is about being hyper-focused towards success. But are there any hacks or secrets? Of course. Read on.
Most importantly you need to know that success is goals oriented. Therefore, it is not means oriented.
So what does this mean? To clarify, it means don’t focus so much attention on worrying about how you’re going to achieve your goals.
What steps can I take to set smart goals?
1. First, start by thinking about what you want to achieve. In other words really put effort into defining what success looks like. How do you want to spend your ideal day – hour by hour?
2. Then, come up with a really strong “why”. Why do you have the goal you have? Who do you want to help? How do you want to contribute to the world?
3. After, visualize yourself having achieved the goal. How do you feel? How is your reality different now that you’ve accomplished your long-term goal?
4. Next, be wary of over-congratulating yourself. Sometimes when you visualize success it turns off the motivating part of your brain. You’re not there yet. Don’t get lazy. Remember how you’re not supposed to worry about the “how” of achieving your goal? That’s still true. But you do have to put in the work. Firstly, do not let it stress you. Then, carve some time every day and jump in. Start. Go.
5. Finally, be careful about distracting yourself with a less ambitious goal. Say your big goal is to climb a mountain. Don’t let your friends convince you to go on a bike ride around the lake. The lake is not your mountain.
Does keeping a daily journal help you focus?
Yes and no. A daily journal did not work for me. Though it works for some. Often people love this daily ritual. However, I find it distracting. Try it for yourself and see. That’s the only way to know for sure.
What are some ways to figure out some goals, if I don’t currently have any?
I love the Ikigai system. Ikigai is a Japanese concept that melds together four things:
1. What does the world really need?
2. What are you actually good at?
3. What can you be paid to do?
4. Finally, what do you love?
So what happens when you find something that hits all four? Congratulations. You’ve found your life’s purpose. Now everything you do in a day can either move you towards finding balance within Ikigai – or not.
Is it okay to take your time? Is self-improvement a lifelong goal?
If you truly have your life’s purpose figured out you will not want to waste any time. However, what if you don’t have your life’s purpose figured out? Then great, you’re on the path towards discovering it and everything you’re doing is leading you towards that epiphany. So it’s not a waste of time after all. What a relief!
How can I learn more about smart goal setting?
Perhaps the best way to learn more about setting and achieving smart goals is to attend a yoga teacher training. Shanti Yoga School offers yoga teacher trainings where we discuss smart goal setting and so much more. You can learn about our yoga teacher trainings here.
2 Responses
At the heart of your being you have all the answers; you comprehend your divinity and you understand what you must do.
YES. The answer is always inside. We like to seek answers outside ourselves but often we need to look inward not outward. Thanks for reading.