How to Create the Perfect Goal
We’ve all heard that we should create S.M.A.R.T. goals. This means goals that are Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Time bound. This is a good framework for goal setting, but not the end all be all.
The art of goal setting must go further if you want your goal to both provide you with progress and motivation. So, before you make sure your goal is S.M.A.R.T. consider these 3 things.
- Goals that are too easy or too hard drive very little motivation. While they may be realistic in terms of being S.M.A.R.T., they won’t motivate you. On the other hand, goals that are too hard drive very little motivation as well. You must break these goals down into smaller components. So, the first step to create the perfect goal is to make sure your goal is a smaller component of a larger difficult goal. Then that component is only slightly difficult to achieve but difficult enough to push you out of your comfort zone.
- Next, to create the perfect goal you must make sure your goal is process and not outcome focused. Process is about the present and outcomes are about the future, and progress is only found in the present. Furthermore, outcomes are not within your control and processes are. Unquestionably, you always have more motivation when you know you’re in control and the perfect goal will always motivate you.
- Finally, your process-oriented goal should leverage your personality strengths. It’s a fact that you’re at your best when you’re doing things you want to do, not what you have to do. Moreover, using your personality strengths is what you do naturally. You can find these strengths in the activities you love to do or you could use something like the Gallup CliftonStrengths tool to find them. Once your process goal leverages your personality strengths, you will have the perfect goal designed just for you.