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SMART Goals

Happy 2017!  A new year brings an opportunity to reflect on goals from the past year, and to set goals for the next one. Though I certainly love the rest and relaxation that come with the holiday season, I eagerly anticipate the busyness and excitement of the first month of a new year!

Each year, I challenge my team to develop three to five individual goals. In our year-end reviews, we reflect on those goals and create strategies for achieving them. Unfortunately, these well-planned, carefully considered goals are often discussed, written down, and then forgotten over the course of the year.

I want 2017 to be different! Setting and achieving personal and professional goals can fundamentally change your journey toward success. But if you do not regularly put them in front of you and if you do not create accountability for achieving them, then you are unlikely to accomplish them. What separates good from great is the ability to grow through setting goals. I don’t want to settle for good. I want great.
Gail Hay, an HR consultant, introduced me to SMART goals.  SMART is an acronym:
Specific (simple, sensible, significant).
Measurable (meaningful, motivating).
Achievable (agreed, attainable).
Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based).
Time bound (time-based, time limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive).
I asked each team member to develop three to five SMART goals. Initially, the challenge was a struggle. The goals were general statements, such as, “I want to be a better manager.” They lacked being specific, measurable, and time-bound. But with more effort, those general statements could become more appropriate: “I want to be a better manager, so I will find a manager mentor by January 31. Not only that, but I will set up one-on-one meetings with my direct reports each month. The result will be better retention and increased sales.” The difference between the generic statement and the SMART goal is clear.
Establishing the goals is not enough; we then needed to create accountability. I asked every team member to display their goals on our conference room walls. We meet there at least weekly, so these posted goals serve as a constant reminder of our commitments.
This year, I encourage you to take general statements and turn them into SMART goals.  Don’t be afraid to be bold with your goals, either. It is OK to set goals that have never been accomplished before.  As long as they are SMART goals, you will have a strategy for success.  Also, ensure that you have a combination of short-term and long-term goals.  Quick, fairly easy conquering of goals will build momentum to push you toward accomplishing the bigger ones. Finally, be sure that you track your goals. This will help you not only to accomplish goals that still remain, but to celebrate the victories of goals achieved.

May 2017 be the year you achieve big things! Let us know how we can help you!

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