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Smart Targets: The Alternative to Goals, Resolutions, and Pointless Wishing
Smart Targets: The Alternative to Goals, Resolutions, and
Pointless Wishing
"Goals and resolutions are a waste of time because they set us
up for failure. "Smart Targets do the opposite; the set us up
for multiple levels of accomplishment." --Me
One of the first topics of conversation in the new year centers
around resolutions for change. They come by many names; new
year's resolutions, new year's goals, affirmations for change,
wishes, etc.
============I have a problem with this...=========
Historically, I've set New Year's Resolutions and experienced
dismal results. In fact, I don't know a single person who, after
making just five new year's resolutions, accomplished or kept
faith with more than one of them.
Why is this?
Why does the process of setting goals - which is a noble human
endeavor - so often meet with failure?
For me, the process of setting goals is like going to the
dentist; I know I need to do it, I know I'll feel guilty if I
don't, but keeping my appointment usually results in pain!
Goals, as traditionally set, have the same effect. I believe
that the main reason for feeling so defeated when we fail to
reach a goal is that with a goal, there is only one way to win.
You either reach it or you don't. That is where the problem
lies.
===========I'm not the only one, am I?=========
Here are some the more popular approaches to goal setting:
S.M.A.R.T. Goals You've probably heard about this system where
each letter in the acronym stands for a separate quality;
S-specific, M-measurable, A-attainable, R-realistic, T-timely.
There are various versions of this including adding a terminal
E-evaluate, and R-revision.
This didn't work for me (even though I published an article on
this in a national US educational journal in 1999) because it
deals with surface issues (is the goal measurable? is it
attainable?). Certainly these are important aspects to consider,
but alone, they didn't get the job done for me.
Nancy Morris (no relation), of http://www.goalgetterkit.com/
says: "Why 'resolutions' fail (and goals for many people) is
because they are not planned all the way through. SMART goals
are great, but they still fall short of the simplest but most
effective of formulas."
Goal-Objective-Strategy Approach In this method, you set a goal.
Then you define an objective which describes how you will reach
that goal. This is followed by a strategy that includes a
step-by-step process of reaching the objective.
I've actually used this approach but found that my experience
again was a superficial one. It lacked any connection with what
really mattered to me most of all.
An Eastern Approach Monica Lu, a Feng Shui practitioner with
White Tiger Designs, LLC, suggests the following "Write down
your goal or something you want to manifest and wrap it with a
piece of 100% cotton red thread. Loop the string like you're
tying your shoes and then tie 9 knots. Leave it loose enough to
give the string a little snap. Snap it. Place somewhere where
you see it regularly. Your goal will be met."
I don't have experience with this metod, but there still seems
to be disconnect between thought and action.
==========The Thought-Action Disconnect============
The problem with most of the above goal setting systems is the
lack of a connection between thought (goal setting) and action
(goal achievement).
This is the crucial difference. Unless there is continuity
between thought and action, you cannot reach any goal.
It's been said that you can lead a horse to water, but you can't
make him/her drink.
Thirst be the internal motivation (thirst) that bridges the gap
between thought and action.
=============Brushing Your Teeth=============
Take the example of brushing your teeth. You begin by setting a
goal (thought): "I want to brush my teeth."
That's followed by a series of tasks (action) : Open bathroom
drawer. Squirt toothpaste from end of tube. Curse mid-tube
squeezers in household. Put toothbrush in mouth. Brush. Rinse.
Repeat at noon and night.
In this example, there is continuity between thought and action.
With a traditional goal setting system, your "win" is defined as
100% goal attainment. Anything less is failure. That's not a
very rewarding system. In fact, it's downright self-defeating.
Ralph Waldo Emerson reminds us: "The ancestor to every action is
a thought."
If we observe that this is true, every action originates in
thought. If the thought is one that holds meaning for us beyond
its superficial recitation, continuity between thought and
action is encouraged.
Perhaps the real reason why traditional goal setting principles
fail to deliver consistent results is their lack of focus on
personal meaning; simply stating generic goals won't do.
============The Connection is Meaning==================
In choosing those areas on which to work, it is imperative that
we make wise choices. As stated previously, generic goals - no
matter how specific or timely - are invitations to a lack of
progress.
In choosing
an area with meaning, I recommend the following:
choose an area that represents a consistent problem (this will
result in stronger motivation to act) choose an area that
impacts others as well as yourself spend time creating a visual
picture of what life will be like when this issue is no longer
one that needs attention
Toward this end, I recommend setting up Smart Targets.
=======The Alternative to Goals: Smart Targets============
What is a Smart Target?
It's a less frustrating way of achieving what you want that does
not rely solely on structure. It's a method of getting what you
want without feeling like it's an all or nothing quest. Instead
of losing when you don't quite reach that sales goal, you can
achieve a win in a variety of ways.
Think about playing darts. While the best possible outcome is
hitting the bull's-eye, chances are overwhelming that you're not
going to hit it.
Instead, it's quite possible to win a game of darts and never
hit the bull's-eye.
In fact it's rare that a bull's-eye is hit during a game of
darts unless you're a professional or you're just spend way too
much time at the pub!
==========Smart Targets & How They Work============
A smart target represents three possible ways to win while
aiming for your ideal bull's-eye.
The bull's eye at the center of the target represents the ideal
completion of your objective. This is what you're aiming for,
but a near miss still represents significant movement.
The outer ring is your minimum acceptable completion. You take
action and while you may not hit the bulls eye, you get enough
accomplished that you still move forward and feel good about
your progress.
The inner ring represent points of completion somewhere between
your minimum and your ideal. In other words, set yourself up to
win by letting there bemore than just ONE way to win.
Here's an example: Bull's-eye: Increasing my ezine list by
10,000 in 60 days Inner Ring: Reaching the 5,000 mark in 60 days
Outer Ring: Adding 1,000 new subscribers in 60 days
In this example hitting the bull's-eye would be phenomenal, but
getting close would still feel like a win!
That's the beauty of the Smart Target system.
=============Setting Up Smart Targets==============
I learned this system from my friend fellow entrepreneur,
Rebecca Fine. I've used it to attract unbelievable things into
my life. I know it will work for you, too!
Try This:
1. At the beginning of each week, write out your three major
targets for the week. Spend time with each possibility until you
know in your heart of hearts that it's an appropriate target for
you.
2. For each of your three targets, come up with your bulls-eye
the best possible results; the minimum acceptable that you can
complete and still make progress; and an intermediate level as
well.
3. Create a vivid mental picture of yourself hitting that
target. Make it real. Imagine what it will feel like, look like,
taste like, smell like...imagine every possible sensation that
you will experience when you hit the target. Spend some time in
this state of mind every day making it real. This works best for
me when I review my mental image right before bed.
4. Take the appropriate actions necessary to move forward and at
the end of the week gratefully celebrate your successes.
Congratulate yourself on what you've learned in the process.
Note where you ended up on the target. Did you hit the
bull's-eye? Probably not. Did you come close? Did you hit the
inner ring? Whatever your progress, take special note of your
wins and celebrate those.
5. Then adjust your course where necessary*, set new targets for
the new week, and move on!
=========Final Thoughts==========
*Taking the time to create that vivid mental image of hitting
the target while expressing gratitude to the formless universe
is essential for this system to work.
Whether you subscribe to a traditional theology or one that is
more abstract; whether or not you believe in a higher power or
not, this will work for you IF you maintain your sense of
gratitude in the process.
Why gratitude? Gratitude is the key that unlocks the flow of
positive outcomes into your life.
Where those positive outcomes originate is not my point to
argue. I can only urge you to try this method of setting smart
targets instead of goals. For more on gratitude and how it can
change your life, check out my occasional Blog, Gratitude Cubed.
http://gratitudecubed.blogspot.com/
Another resource is Rebecca Fine's awesome site, The Science of
Getting Rich. www.scienceofgettingrich.net Rebecca offer's a
great monthly ezine and a cool little 100 year-old book that
contains timeless content. Check it out!
About the author:
©2005-2006 Barry W. Morris. All Rights Reserved. Wouldn't you
love to stumble upon a sec*ret library of small business ideas?
Find simple, yet electrifying ideas, on copywriting, public
speaking, marketing strategies, sa*les conversion,psychological
tactics and branding? Surf by http://BarryMorris.com today and
judge for yourself.
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