A goal by definition is the end result of achieving your objectives. Some people hope to achieve success by becoming the first to walk on unexplored planets, others aspire to fly aircraft that have not yet been invented, and still, others hope to become billionaires overnight.
Without the spending years of training or skills, these goals may not be possible and thus lack the realism I encourage.
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Bear in mind, however, that there is a huge difference between setting realistic goals and limiting yourself. That is why my encouragement to you is to set goals that are S.M.A.R.T and thus realistic.
The word S.M.A.R.T means that our goals will be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.
When we employ this kind of framework to analyze our goals, we are less likely to end up disappointed and it will be easier for us to stay motivated to work towards this goal.
If your aim is to simply invent something great, sometime in the course of your life, that goal would neither be specific, measurable, achievable nor time-bound.
Working towards an indeterminate goal will lead you in a circle and be very discouraging.
If your goals are to be considered realistic, they must meet up to the requirements of all the other aspects of your S.M.A.R.T analysis.
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So even if you hope to achieve great things by the time you are twenty-three but have not really set a specific means to achieve this goal, you will not be very motivated to get much done.
S.M.A.R.T objectives ensure that you direct your efforts in the right direction and do not waste time trying to re-invent the wheel or striking the air.
Working towards something impossible for whatever reason will leave us too discouraged to achieve much else. But this is a very touchy topic for me because men like the great Steve Jobs, Ronald Wayne, and Steve Wozniak, did indeed achieve what was thought impossible by their fellow when they invented Apple Inc. So where does one draw the line between realistic and laughable?
Ask yourself these questions:
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| Questioning Yourself |
• If not, how long will it take me to learn this skill?
• Do I have the requisite time and energy to achieve this goal?
• How much of my financial resources will I need to accomplish this goal?
• Is accomplishing this goal going to have a positive impact on those around me?
• Do I have the discipline required to achieve this goal?
• Am I willing to suffer the consequences of trying to achieve this goal?
• Are my family and friends going to support my decision to pursue this goal?
Answering these questions will help you determine whether you have the drive to accomplish the goals you have in mind.
These questions are not to discourage you but to help you prepare yourself to become successful.
The blog that follows is designed to help you keep on track and stay motivated.
