3 flaws with "SMART" goal setting that keep you feeling un-inspired and delivering mediocre results10/28/2016 Like many business professionals you have likely used the goal setting formula of creating "SMART" goals.
Really smart goals, however, require that you follow another formula first! Let me introduce you to “ARC” goals! – Yep, I made that up :) Read on to find 3 ways that the SMART formula undermines exceptional results and actually keep you from achieving outcomes that delight! You'll also be introduced to an enhanced formula for goal-setting that will set you up to reach for what is truly inspiring and meaningful. Just to make sure we are on the same page, "SMART" stands for that goals should be: S - Specific, M - Measurable, A - Achievable, R - Realistic, T - Time bound (The acronym has been credited George Doran who introduced the concept in a Management Review in 1981) Sounds like pretty good advice, right? Yet, I’d like to challenge this way of goal setting on three counts – and propose some questions to ask yourself. Read on… for inspiration! 1) Is mediocrity a goal of yours? The first aspects of SMART goals I'd encourage you to question is the "Achievable & Realistic" parts. Although this guideline is surely well intended, as a way of setting ourselves up for success by setting goals that are "within reach", but how exciting is that!? How far will that really take you? I believe that to really accomplish something extraordinary and truly grow as individuals we need to stretch ourselves outside our comfort zone. We need to set goals that push us to expand beyond what we know we can do and into our true capacity. So, to truly set smart goals I believe they also have to be ASPIRATIONAL. What would you want to reach for that would DELIGHT you once accomplished? (check out some examples here) 2) So what? The second aspect of "SMART" goals that needs to be considered is, that although "SMART" goals have some specificity around the "What" and the "When", there's no connection to a bigger "Why". I suggest we have to broaden our view and consider the "Why" for each of our goals. For each goal ask yourself: “In the bigger scheme of things, how does reaching this goal matter? In what way will my life/work/relationships be better or my opportunities improve by reaching this goal?” So, to truly set smart goals, I believe they also need to be RELEVANT to a bigger vision. (check a weight loss example here) 3) Got your blinders on? At first it would seem that setting specific goals is a very good idea. They give you a chance to know for sure when you have reached each goal and it is time to celebrate (yay!). However, the third reason SMART goals aren’t necessarily so smart… is that goals can be set too narrowly, ignoring other competing priorities or changing circumstances. Rather, I suggest you make sure your goals are achievable also when considering what else is going on in your life currently. You also need to be willing to adjust your goals. Let them be revised based on new knowledge and other circumstances that influence what is actually possible and desirable for you to achieve. So, to truly set SMART goals, I believe they also need to be CONTEXTUAL. (read here about an example how I learned by doing just that!) In summary, when you set goals, I suggest you START with a broader view and get clear on your "ARC" goals: A - Aspirational: What's a goal that would truly excite you and, once reached, has the potential to delight you? R - Relevant: What is the bigger vision for your life? What goals do you want to set that support that vision? C - Contextual: Considering what else is going on in my life, what are the best goals to set right now? How do my goals fit together? Now that you are clear on your "ARC" goals, feel free to go ahead and create "SMART" goals. With both, you will can come up with a realistic plan that inspires and clearly takes you toward what you aspire for in your life! Now, THAT I am willing to call truly SMART goals!
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In two of my previous posts I elaborated on limitations I see with setting “SMART” goals. Visit the above links for suggestions on how to avoid these pitfalls (and learn how to truly set smart goals).
Then, read on here for part 3 (of 3) Got your blinders on? The “S” in setting “S.M.A.R.T.” goals stands for “Specific”. At first it would seem that setting Specific goals is a very good idea. It gives you a chance to clearly know when you have reached a goal and it is time to celebrate (Yay!). However, I would caution you from setting your goals too narrowly, risking that they don’t make sense when you consider a broader view, currently or over time. To explain, let me start by giving you a business example: When Ford released the Pinto in early 1980's. They were super focused on delivering this car at a record setting time-to-market, and they did! The only problem was that they lost track of other important aspects of putting a car on the market, like safety.... They were so focused on hitting the “time to market” date that they made decisions that compromised the safety of the car. It did not end well… deaths (!), lawsuits and recalls. If they had kept an eye on the broader needs and been willing to adjust their plan based on changing circumstances (failed tests) this could have been avoided. Next, let me share an example of when I recently set a goal with my “blinders on”: This past June I just completed the delivery of a six-week “pilot” program. I was very excited about how it all turned out, including the great feedback and the positive impact it apparently had in the lives of the participants. I was very very very inspired ;) and I decided to set my next goal as: "Starting next program series early September". How perfect, I would help my clients kick off, on purpose, into the fall season! ASPIRATIONAL? Yes, indeed. Inspiring and something I would feel very good about achieving. RELEVANT (to my bigger vision)? YES, perfectly in line with where I want to take my business, working with people one-on-one as well as in groups. CONTEXTUAL? Njaa… not so much. What I was NOT considering at the time was that during the couple of months leading up to the program start I had plenty other things “on my plate”. Other important (and mostly wonderful) things that I had already committed to for the summer; spending time with family and friends back in Europe, fixing the pipe leak in the garden (yikes), and getting my son settled and ready for College – to name a few. So, here we are, in late October. Considering all the preparation I need to do to prepare for an excellent program and considering other priorities in my life, I have now set a more realistic goal (for which I am still stoked!): Deliver my program during the first quarter of 2017. In summary, what I learned was that setting very specific goals that do NOT take the bigger picture in consideration will actually NOT set me up for success… To truly set SMART goals, I suggest that they also need to be CONTEXTUAL. For each of your goals, consider: · How might my goals need to be adjusted based on what else is important in my life right now? · How might my goals need to be adjusted to incorporate new experiences/knowledge and keep pointing me toward what is actually my desired outcome? Go ahead, aim high! And then, add a pinch of realism and you will truly go far. |
AuthorAs a Holistic Time Management coach Ulrika reflects on ways to live our every day on purpose - with agility. Archives
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