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. A couple days ago I gave you the first reason (out of three) I believe SMART goals are not so smart... Check it out here!
So what? The second aspect of "SMART" goals that I'd encourage you to question is; Although "SMART" goals have some specificity around the "What" and the "When", there's no connection to a bigger "Why". When you aren't very clear about your "Why", no wonder it is easy to give up when the "going gets tough"! An example of a "SMART" goal could be "Loose 10lb/5kg by Nov 1st". Specific – yes, Measurable – yes, Achievable – yep, Realistic – absolutely, Timebound – clearly! Many of us have set a similar goal more than once. Yet, how inspired do you really feel about this kind of goal? How likely are you to continue to feel inspired and stick to such a goal when you are tempted or fall back into old habits? Often, a goal without a clear and meaningful "Why" feels very "dry" and factual, lacking clear vision for how the end result will actually affect us. There might also be a bit of a "should" vibe to it. We feel like we should get in shape. We should loose weight. Like we are taking it on just to please someone else or live up to what is expected by society at large. I suggest we broaden our view and consider the "Why" of each of our goals. It's like getting your head out of the details and looking at the bigger picture of how this goal fits into out life's ambitions. For each goal, ask yourself: “In the bigger scheme of things, how does reaching this goal matter? In what way will my life situation be better or my opportunities improve by reaching this goal?” The lack of true understanding of our personal "why" is especially common for things that are common in our culture. Pretty much everyone wants to drop a few pound, get in shape, spend more time with those we care about and so forth… We tend to not question WHY we are actually going after some of those goals. Rather, I suggest you pause to ask yourself "why", in order to get a better understanding about what is truly important about each goal. Often, the really motivating reason for us to take something on is not immediately obvious. It might be "buried" several layers deep. For each answer you get after asking yourself "Why?", ask again: "How is that important?", "So what?". This will get you closer to the core of what truly matters to you about this. For the weight loss example: "When that is true (having lost 10 lb, or whatever the initial goal was) what will be different?" "What becomes possible? ...and what is important about THAT?... so what?... Why so?..." – you might sound a bit like an inquisitive young child but keep going, it's worth it! ;) You might discover that what you long for is to feel an ease of movement or feel strong and equipped to engage in a specific activity. You might realize that there are completely different goals that you want to set, for which the weight loss is not a prerequisite. Maybe you realize you want to learn how do dance? Climb a mountain? Speak with confidence? If so; Start dancing! Start taking small hikes! Start speaking! When you put your energy toward something bigger that you truly feel inspired to work for, the weight is no longer an excuse and chances are that some pounds will drop as a natural outcome of you getting into inspired action. When considering goals that are set for you by someone else - like company goals or department goals - it's equally important to ask "Why?". What are we ultimately aiming for here? What bigger vision does this goal support? So, to truly set SMART goals, in addition to being ASPIRATIONAL, I believe they also need to be RELEVANT to a bigger vision. If this was useful, please like, comment and follow! Want more? Read about the third/last reason SMART goals aren't so smart... here. You'd think that if something was specifically called "SMART" that you could trust it to definitely and thoroughly be a smart thing... Well, I'd like to share with you THREE ways that "SMART" goals are NOT so smart and introduce and enhanced formula for goal-setting.
So, first, what does "SMART" stand for? Chances are you have been instructed to create SMART goals both for your department as well as for your personal development plan. The acronym has been credited George Doran who introduced the concept in a Management Review in 1981. It stands for that good goals should be: S - Specific M - Measurable A - Achievable R - Realistic T - Time bound Sounds pretty sound, right? Yet, I’d like to challenge this way of goal setting on three counts. Here's the first one… 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? Just think back in your own life – re-call a time when you accomplished something that made you really proud of yourself. An achievement that made you say: "YESSS, I really did that!" From the get-go when you initially set that goal, was it clearly within reach? Was the time you worked on this goal free of worry about being able to achieve it or not? I’m guessing not. In January of 2013 I started working with a new coach and she asked me what main goal I had for the 6 months we were to work together. I boldly said I want to quit my job. She asked "By when?" and I surprised myself by quickly responding "Before the summer". Immediately after saying it, I couldn't believe I had just said that out loud, that I was actually committing to this goal “officially”. Wow, I had actually put a date on this longstanding wish of mine to leave my corporate job to become a full time coach. Long story short; the spring was full of hesitation when I frequently talked myself into staying - I was after all at a great company, making good money, had great colleagues that had practically felt like family after so many years etc. etc. - but early May I resigned and I have never felt more empowered and free. At the time it definitely felt like a leap requiring a big dose of faith! 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 If this was useful, please like, comment and follow! I also invite you to read about two other reasons SMART goals aren't so smart... 2) "So what?" & 3) "Got your blinders on?" Inspired by one of my favorite TED talks: How great leaders inspire action by Simon Sinek.
Once New Years resolutions have faded, what will inspire YOU to take action throughout the year in how you lead your life? Although Sinek's examples and arguments mostly relate to business and inter-relational leadership (company/client, leader/employee etc.), I'd like to explore how we can apply the same principles of "starting with WHY" in leading our own lives. Let's explore a goal that many of us have had in some variation at the beginning of a year: get in shape. Whether that means loosing weight, exercising or eating healthier. Perhaps it entails changing some habits around alcohol, sugar or stress. So, how do we tend to go about setting our goals for the year?... WHAT you do New years resolutions tend to focus on the WHAT. For our "Get in shape" example, you might end up with goals like: Cut down on carbs, exercise more, or loose 10lb before the summer. Perhaps this inspires you to hit the gym for a few weeks in January (have you noticed how full the gyms and yoga studios are in January!). Yet, how many times have you had good intentions at the beginning of the year, only to have them fade - or completely fall off your radar - already by February!!? HOW you do it Slightly better, and more likely to stick would be if you also create a plan for HOW you will do it. To "Get in shape", you might buy a membership at a club and commit to exercising each Tuesday and Thursday right after work. You might even get a exercise buddy - someone you can count on to keep you accountable. You might even consider - in advance - what is likely to get in the way of you acting on your plan, and come up with ways to handle those challenges. Your chances of success are getting better and better :). With a clear HOW - you are much more likely to follow through and succeed toward your goals. Now that's seems like a pretty solid plan of action, right? Yes, it is much more solid than just a brief new years resolution statement in "WHAT" form. I would even estimate that you have a "fair" chance of succeeding. However... As Sinek mentions in his talk, the part of our brain that is responsible for making decisions (the limbic brain) is motivated by emotion, not so much by words and reasoning... So, in order to create an intention that can inspire you to push through when "the going gets tough" - or when you get to busy.... or when you just don't feel like it... or when you feel frustrated at the lack of progress... - you need to get clear on your "WHY". WHY you do it To get clarity of my WHY, in the example of the "getting in shape" goal, I might ask myself; Why would I bother getting shape? Why would I spend time and energy at the gym? Why would I choose oatmeal over a bagel and cream cheese for breakfast? Why is it important to me to weigh 10lb less by the time summer rolls around? Personally, my answers to those questions would lead me to realize the importance for me to feel strong and fit, so that I can live my daily life with engagement and energy. I want to stay healthy for many many years to enjoy my life, with friends and family. I see myself actively playing with my grand-kids (many years from now! :)) and traveling the world together with my also aging but equally healthy husband. Yeah, I want THAT! That's the "WHY" that I will tap into when I am tempted to choose laziness over exercise. That's the "WHY" that triggers an emotional response for me and that will keep me motivated to choose both healthier activities and foods. Over to you Whether you did set any new years resolutions for the year that is enting or not, I hope this inspires you to consider your "WHY" for something that you want in your life. Consider: Why does it matter? What is the reason you'd put in the time and energy toward that goal? Why? Why? Why? Take your time. Write about it, talk about it, dream about it! Vision board about it... make it come alive and touch you on an emotional level :) With that, I want to wish you a truly FULFILLING and MEANINGFUL New Year!! Ulrika BONUS: When you're clear on your WHY, share it and LIVE it and you will attract "those that believe what you believe"! Then you can inspire and support each other in implementing what truly matters to both of you/all of you. As a busy professional, how often do you feel “stretched too thin” or over-committed?
You know that feeling when you thought you couldn’t get any busier, yet you get hit with one more demand (and then one more…). You toughen up and tell yourself; “I can do this. I just have to get through this, THEN everything should get better.” Only to find that somehow the next day and week and month ends up looking pretty much the same… and the things you say to yourself have shifted to “I can’t keep going like this. It’s not good for me or for those around me. There’s got to be another way!” There absolutely IS a better way! You might have heard the hype around Mari Kondo’s book “The life-changing magic of tidying up”. She shows us how to deal with our clutter once and for all through a “category-by-category” clearing approach – until ALL items we decide to keep actually “spark joy”. Sounds like a tall order but I am pleasantly surprised of the effectiveness of the approach and – in fact - as I open my no-longer-cluttered drawers there are actually “joy sparks” flying :) So, what does that have to do with your busy life and packed schedule!? As it turns out – a lot! Bring some awareness to your current schedule by checking your calendar for this week and consider:
Many of us are so deep in our busy-ness that we rarely remember to “come up for air”. Our calendars are too full of to-dos that feel like “stuff”. We forget to give ourselves time to pause and get a broader perspective on where our life is headed… When did you last reflect on what truly matters to you…? How aligned is your life – the way you currently live it – with what truly matters to you? Over the last several months I’ve been designing and implementing a Time Management Program based on agile principles. When doing my tidying work around the house I realized some similarities in the approaches! Here goes!: By clarifying the different categories of tasks (by role) and de-cluttering your to-do’s of busy-ness that is not supporting what truly matters to you, you can start making choices that create a calendar with truly fulfilling and meaningful activities. So, where do I start? Let me walk you through the key steps the foundation: 1. Identify your ROLES What roles do you “play” in your life and what responsibilities do you have in those roles? Over a life time we get to be in so many roles. Even right now you are likely in several roles, for example: parent, employee, partner/spouse, friend, child, sibling, and/or neighbor. Start by bringing some clarity to the roles that are more central for you right now – your top 2-3 roles at this time. If it helps, you can check your calendar to see what seems to keep you most busy. For those top “roles”, list your key responsibilities. For example, two of my top roles right now are Mother and Personal Coach. As a Mother I consider myself (together with my husband) responsible for things like: feeding, clothing, educating, loving and transporting my children. As a Personal Coach, my responsibility toward my clients include; providing resources, tools, and powerful inquiries that support their increased self-awareness and their goals. 2. Set clear INTENTIONS For each of your roles, identify what would make you feel successful in this role - notsuccessful according to what others expect of you, but rather what feels successful for you personally. In each role, what would your ideal scenario look like? For me, “success” in my role as a Personal Coach looks something like this: my clients are clear about their values and uniqueness, they feel empowered to live their life in a way that feels truly fulfilling for them & they are finding balance between ambition and contentment. 3. Make CHOICES that serve your intentions On a daily and weekly basis, decide how you will spend your time – based on what will support your intentions in your key roles. Commit to what matters and manage expectations around other demands. You won’t get it “right” all the time. That’s OK. Give yourself a break. Reflect and learn from what happens. Reflect/Learn -> Plan -> Do -> Reflect/Learn -> Plan -> Do… “rinse and repeat”! Over time, as your intentions become clear for more roles and you learn to mindfully navigate through whatever gets in your way or pulls you off course, you’ll be way on your way toward having a schedule that “sparks joy”. Hugs, Ulrika What does “success” mean anyway?
I don’t mean a dictionary definition but what does it mean to YOU? The more obvious examples of success are the big “splashy” public accomplishments - something of significance that “the world” notices. Perhaps an on-time, well received significant launch or project. Maybe “meeting the numbers” for an important time-period or milestone. Other examples are more personal; like completing a course or get a new certification, or maybe throwing a really fun 50th disco birthday party! (yes, I just had one of those :). Most people would agree those can all be scenarios worthy of being described as successful. But what about the more subtle, step-by-step successes along the way, each of the smaller achievements that lead up to this larger success... To what extent are you consciously considering this progress along the way as success? In our high intensity work environments and “speedy” society we tend to skip by the moment of really feeling success. Even for larger accomplishments we tend to just “check it off” as done and keep moving on to the next to-do or project, and the next… and the next... My hope with my writing today is to inspire you to define and celebrate success not only for your larger goals but also for the steps that lead toward an ultimate goal. I don’t want you necessarily to be considered successful. I want for you to find ways to feel success - on a daily basis from the get-go of moving toward a larger goal. Sound good? To get going, please think of a significant goal that you’d like to accomplish within three years from today. Yes, right now :). Prepare by defining the following:
Daily, as you complete a step, take a moment to acknowledge to yourself that you are now closer to your goal by “that much”. You know what you want and you are DOING something to make it happen! You are on track. Yaay! Time well invested toward a goal that is important to YOU. On days when you don’t complete “a step”, or don’t feel very successful around your action, give yourself a break - breathe, pause - and then consider what you are learning. You might want to adjust the size of the action steps. You might realize that there was preparation that had to happen before another action could be completed. Great! You can now apply what you learned to the next “next step”. As your list of to-do's empties out, keep flushing out the next set of 5-10 to-do’s – leveraging what you have learned so far and keeping you in action every day. To finish off, I’d like to share a quote: “The way you live your day, is the way you end up living your life. Choose carefully.” Well, actually… I was the one that said that – and you can quote me if you want :D I wish you MUCH success, however you personally define it! |
AuthorAs a Holistic Time Management coach Ulrika reflects on ways to live our every day on purpose - with agility. Archives
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