SMART Goals – Learn How To Achieve Your 2020 Goals NOW!

Some how we have found ourselves half the way through 2019. Whilst the New Years motivation has probably been completely lost, the motivation that comes from the sun and longer days are growing. (I know many of you who live in the UK are probably like, ‘what summer?’ but trust me – it’s coming!)

So basically, we all want to hop on that ‘achieving your goals’ bandwagon. Before you start creating your ‘Summer Bucket List‘ or goals, take a read of this post. This will allow you to create SMART goals that will increase the probability of you achieving them.

There is a good chance that you have heard of setting SMART goals before. I first learnt about them in GCSE Physical Education, BUT, don’t make the assumption that they are only for fitness.

Setting SMART goals can benefit you in every aspect of your life.

You want to save a bit more money? Set SMART goals.

You want to develop your career and achieve a promotion at work? Set SMART goals.

Do you want to fundraise money for a charity? SET SMART GOALS! (This is one I am actually doing! I would love if you would check out my fundraising goal (I am running the Great North Run for the animal charity, Mayhew.) and you can sponsor me HERE!)

Setting SMART Goals!

To make the process of setting SMART goals easier for you, I am going to go into some more detail on the 5 different aspects of setting SMART goals.

But first – think of an area of your life you want to improve. It could be fitness related, skill related or even ‘Hey, I own too many plastic containers.’ (COUGH, MUM!) Now that you have your main aim, follow along with this post. By the end, you should have a Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound goal that is ready for you to SMASH!

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Specific

So, I got you to think of an aspect of your life you want to improve, progress or change. It is safe for me to assume that what you are currently thinking of is quite general. Don’t worry – so are most of the goals people set. Most people also don’t tend to remain motivated and continue to pursue their goals long-term. Conincidence?

We are going to get down to the NITTY GRITTY of what you ACTUALLY want to achieve here.

Why do you want to save a bit more money? Why do you want that promotion at work? Do you want to become more financially free or have more responsibility? Think carefully, make it deep and true.

I have yet to learn a lot more about the Law of Attraction. However, I do know that what vibe you put into the world is what vibe you will receive back. When thinking about the specifics of your goal, use a POSITIVE term and ENERGISED words.

Negative: “I want to save more money because I am jealous of the people I see on social media on their expensive holidays.”

Positive: “I want to save X amount of money. This is because I have always wanted to visit X in X country. I did a project on it back at school and was fascinated with its history!”

Measurable

We now need to ensure that your goal can be measured. This could be in units or by comparing it to something. Comparing can be dangerous ground. I would recommend using progression photos, (Like the ones I am using in my Cut Reload Review Series) than another person.

Examples of using units may be, ‘I want to save £1000 to pay off the debt I owe to my parents.’ Or, ‘I want to be able to leg press 100kg.’

Through doing this, you are creating a goal that allows you to see your progress easier. You can scope where you are and how much extra you need to put in, in order to achieve it.

Gaining motivation from just number can be hard, where as seeing progress can be a huge motivation. Actually seeing yourself get closer to that goal, saving £500 or lifting 70kg, is much more motivating. Especially when you compare it to the generic, ‘I want to get stronger’, because where does that goal actually end? What are you comparing it to?

Achievable

Have you set the bar too high? Everyone loves a challenge, but an unobtainable goal is a motivation KILLER!

If you have your heart set on achieving this major goal, try splitting it down into several smaller goals.

I JUST LOOKED BACK AT MY BUCKET LIST FOR 2019 (https://t.co/nrNCEvwgMW )

AND I HAVE ACTUALLY DONE SOME OF THEM

IM SO PROUD
GO ME

— millie – msblife Ⓥ (@msblife_) June 25, 2019

Recently I am seeing a lot of people on Twitter with the goal of writing and publishing a book. (Shoutout to Chloe and Shannen!) Writing an entire novel seems daunting, and potentially unachievable. Writing the first chapter seems much easier right? Your brain is then programmed to think, ‘Hey! I can do that!‘ This concept can be used for any goal and remember:

Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.

Greg Anderson

Realistic

Setting realistic goals links in quite nicely with ensuring your goal is achievable. Make sure your goal is REALISTIC.

If you don’t know how to swim but you suddenly say you want to be able to swim 100 laps each day is NOT being realistic. This then links in with splitting your goals up. Hell yeah, one day you will swim those 100 laps. But, for now, that will most likely be unobtainable and you can guess what the result of that is…a loss of motivation!

Use this opportunity to link your goals into your life. Your goal is to save £1000. You have split this up into four different £250 goals. Making this goal realistic means realising that some months you may not be able to save as much money.

Make sure you bear in mind the fact that your car could break down (not relatable at all…) or you may have an unexpected bill. This isn’t a failure, it is just a bump in the journey. But, by making your goals realistic this should limit the hit your motivation takes!

Time-Bound

Last, but still as important, we need to add some time frames to your goal! This can act as a core motivator – IF, you make it work for your personality.

Some people I know say they perform better under pressure. Others I know don’t. This is also where making your goal REALISTIC is important. You aren’t going to leg press 100kg by the end of the week! Give each of your split goals a particular time frame. I recommend writing this down and sticking it where you can see it. Tick it off when you reach that date. Extend it where needed. Remember, this is YOUR goal!

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You now have your first SMART goal!

Now, put your Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound aspects together and, BAM, you have your first SMART goal!

By getting down to the nitty-gritty of your goal specifics; ensuring that you measure progression; splitting your large goal into smaller goals; and time-bounding it, you are one step closer to achieving it!

I would love to read what SMART goal you finished this post with! Leave them in the comments below or tweet me! (@MSBLife_)

I find this content so motivating and it really drives me to achieve my own goals. Keep an eye out on MSB Life in the upcoming week – I am working on something special, that SMART goals come into!

Till next time my SMART lil’ friends!

-Millie 🙂