Setting S.M.A.R.T.E.R. Goals
By Charmaine Hammond
We can all agree that developing goals both for the company and the team, as well as for individual performance improvement, are essential for business success. Goals keep the team moving in the same direction and gives purpose to the actions they are taking.
The process of setting goals isn’t always easy, it takes time and focus. The following is the process that I created for effective goal setting:
S – Set the intention: Get clear on your goals; think about what success looks like. Make a decision to take action and succeed.
M – Map out the plan. Share the plan with those that will be helping to achieve the goals. Clearly define action steps, accountability partners and resources needed. Determine some rewards for success.
A – ASK for help. Have an accountability partner or team-up with someone you can trust to keep you focused on the plan and achieve the set goals.
R – Refrain the brain. Keep focused on goals and avoid being distracted by the BSO’s (bright shiny objects) that move you away from your goals. Not all other ideas will be bad just not congruent with what you are trying to accomplish.
If your distractions tend to be these thoughts or ideas, just write them down to review later. Once you accomplish your current set goals you can review your other ideas and begin the process of goal setting again.
T – Take the step and tell others. When you act, and include others, it creates a sense of synergy and mutual support. It also makes your goals more intentional. Take three steps every day toward you goals. In one week, three actions become 15, and in one month you have accomplished 60 strategic actions.
E – Educate and evaluate. Make sure that you have the information you need to succeed. Evaluate success and progress. Develop a method to measure performance and monitor your actions and the results on a regular basis. Modify your action plan as needed.
R – Review and learn. Review progress regularly. Be patient and flexible. Know that sometimes it will feel like you are not making progress…two steps forward and one back. But the good news is: You are still moving forward!
The process of goal setting can seem overwhelming at times. Where do you start? How do you determine where your focus should be? Working S.M.A.R.T.E.R. to set your goals will help you to answer these questions and create more effective plans.
Do you often find yourself in situations where you would love to move forward but just can’t for some reason? Maybe it is because there is a part of your past that you need to forgive. Be sure to set aside some time each day to reflect on your past, even the things that happened that day. If it has already happened, it is in the past.
You can’t change it but, you can forgive it. Forgiveness is a choice. Ask yourself who it hurts more, hinders more, or presents obstacles for. You or the person or situation you haven’t forgiven. Sometimes the person we need to forgive is ourselves. This is so important. Nobody is perfect, we all make mistakes. Forgive yourself; don’t let your past rob you of your future. Forgive and Bounce Forward!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charmaine_Hammond
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