You start the year strong with renewed energy, enthusiasm and vigour, only to find your motivation dwindling as the months pass. Well, you are certainly not alone. In fact, according to the International Journal of Environment Research and Public Health, only 64% of those with a success goal stuck to them past one month. After six months, 50% of them would have dropped out, and a paltry 8% will stick to their plan past the 12 month milestone. If you are part of this sad statistic, perhaps it is time to see if you are making effective goals — or doing proactive steps like hiring a personal development speaker.
Announcing that you want to be the next Richard Branson or Warren Buffett will not cut it. You will first need some proper goals and the best place to start is the somewhat clichéd but still extremely practical principle of S.M.A.R.T. goals by management scholar, George T. Doran. Most professionals who have attended goal-setting courses are familiar with this concept, and I teach it extensively in my mental toughness programs. Here’s how you can put it to good use for your own success goals.
Specific
You will need to know what you want to accomplish with specificity. In other words, say “make $100,000 in 12 months” instead of “make more money”. Be as specific as possible. In addition, write down the specific reasons, purpose or benefits of achieving the goal.
Measurable
If your goal is not measurable, it is not possible to know if you are making progress or not. Measuring your goal helps you stay on track and know if you are pushing hard enough. It also increases motivation by breaking your goals into smaller goals and achieving them.
Attainable
If you want to become a billionaire in 5 years, you may need to give yourself a bit of a reality check. Honestly, ask yourself if the goal is attainable within the set time frame. Goals that are too out of reach may be considered meaningless as you continually fall short. If you are unsure, ask a sales coach or a mentor who is already there to know how much progress you can make. You may also ask for insights from a personal development speaker.
Relevant (or realistic)
This criterion stresses the importance of choosing goals that matter to you. A goal of “attending 30 webinars in 6 months” may be specific, measurable, attainable and time-bound but lacks relevance to your financial goals.
Time-Bound (or timely)
You must always give yourself a time frame to achieve your goal. A time-bound goal gives a sense of urgency. Say by when, and what you want to achieve.
Remember, even if you cannot visualize your success yet in your mind, the most important thing is to have faith and get started anyway. As Martin Luther King aptly puts it, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase”.
