Simple Goal-setting (It's Better Than SMART)
It’s a known fact that written goals are important. crucial, even. Organizations need to know where they’re going and they’re performing. We should understand what we’re aiming for.
Since receiving a Full Focus Planner subscription, I’ve spent some time studying Michael Hyatt’s system and method.
Most of it is great.
But his goal-setting method is tedious and confusing.
Instead of a “SMART” goal, he says have a “SMARTER” goal. But I honestly have to look up what the acronym SMART is on most days.
In the consulting work I do with Growability, we simplify goal setting for our clients by using this simple formula.
“We will move from here to there by this date. ”
It’s that simple.
And it hits all the SMART points without having to remember what SMART stands for (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Time-bound — and if you’re using the Michael Hyatt method make them smartER by adding Exciting and Relevant.)
Keep it frictionless. Keep it simple.
From here.
You don’t always have to include this piece in your written goal. But it’s a great place to start. For example, my current productivity system is out of date. I am using a system that worked when I only wore one hat. I currently working in several different spaces each week, and I need to take the time to think well about each space, how to allot my time, and how to organize my projects and tasks. So I need to change my current system because it’s not working.
To there.
A frictionless system that reflects my current complexities.
By this date.
I need to do this relatively soon. But, there’s no way I can finish this in a week. I’m going to put an August 31st deadline on this.
My Goal:
Redevelop my productivity system to reflect my current realities by August 31, 2019.
With a written goal, I can now make it a project (in some cases multiple projects), create task lists, and achieve what’s most important to me.
Simple is better than smart.
Because while this goal is SMART — I didn’t have to remember an acronym to get there.
