December 19, 2009 62 Comments

Keep SMART Goals In Front Of You – Overnight Success

In this latest installment of the Overnight Success series, let’s agree to make SMART goals: Simple, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely goals that you work towards to achieve your own success. Let’s put those goals out there, and then work on them every week. Let’s keep them front and center of our attention, so that we push further and further in that direction.

If you can’t see the video, click here.

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Overnight Success series. Like what you see? subscribe to my blog for free.

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  • http://productivityjunkies.com Darin Persinger

    I've seen many people that are unhappy after achieving their SMART goals. I feel we get to focused on the tangible and forget about the intangible. Crossing the finish line is great, but it's always more important HOW you felt crossing that finish line.

    FYI – I like the video action!

  • savaintl1

    its good that to achieve the traget goal setting and track all the goals points.

  • http://www.benspark.com BenSpark

    Chris,
    Goals are great and breaking them down in this way makes goals more achievable. My friend Ed Gerety has a great book for Student Leadership called Combinations and combination #3 is all about goals. I wrote a series of review posts about each combination. Goals was on this post “So, How Can You Crush It”. Ed talks about focusing down to very specific goals and includes a workbook area for working on goals. Do you have a specific sort of formula on narrowing focus on your goals?

  • http://www.mindsetofablogger.com DianeCorriette

    Oh thanks goodness I thought it was just me! After years of transforming my life from a shy girl to someone who is out there living life and having fun I did much of it with goal setting. But later setting goals seems like something I do more for my ego than for the sake of my life! My fear is though… if I am not setting goals what will I have to work towards? And that is what I need to work through now I guess. What's next after goal setting?

  • http://www.jamieflinchbaugh.com Jamie Flinchbaugh

    Goals are great, but I think SMART is overkill. Just develop MT goals – Measurable and Time-bound. You should be able to measure your goal, although that doesn't necessarily mean a number. You should be able to know if you are actually accomplishing the goal. And you should think specifically about when you need to accomplish them. Otherwise all goals are due 12/31, which is not how you want to operate.

    The rest is unnecessary. S has apparently come to mean different things over time. But why simple? Most people don't even know if this means the goal is simple or the ability to accomplish it is simple. If it's simple to achieve then it's probably not even necessary to write down. The goal itself doesn't need to be simple. It is what it is. Set the goal for what you need to accomplish.

    How is Attainable and Realistic different? Again, these letters have come to mean different things as people forget the acronym and make it up as they goal. If you know IN ADVANCE that ALL your goals are attainable, then you probably have no learning happening. Learning is paramount. This doesn't mean you should set goals to “learn how to fly like superman” but if you have performance goals that you don't know how to achieve, then you will have to learn. This is, in fact, a good thing.

    Just focus on creating MT goals. The rest creates angst for most people and does nothing to actually improve the goals.

  • http://www.onlineinvestingai.com/blog/ George

    Great explanation. Interesting video a la Pulp Fiction.

    I think it's really important to stay focused on our goals without getting swept up in the day to day distractions. Work, family and just the desire for pleasure exert a constant pull on us that does not help us achieve our goals. The more we stay focussed and keep the goal in mind the faster we achieve them.

    By the way, are you still in Paris?

  • http://www.mikestenger.com Mike Stenger

    True that Chris. It's VERY easy to let our goals get away from us but when we maintain focus, we maintain working on them consistently. As always, it's one thing to say but it's a totally other thing to do.

  • http://www.twitter.com/danieldecker Daniel Decker

    A SMART push… I like it. Love these videos. Just wonder what you would have done had the elevator opened with a bunch of people on it. :)

  • microsoftoffice2007
  • davideedey

    Far too often with so many ideas in our heads we do not take the time to set goals. If you have no goals you have no direction

  • http://subject2.com Nick Johnson

    Great stuff as always. One of my favorite things is to make sure the goals are attainable so I can rack up small victories building on those to motivate to larger and more meaningful goals.

  • http://www.diary4life.com Paul

    I agree Darin, the journey can be more important than the result.

  • suemrithujayan

    yes SMART goals are easy to get hold in a limited time……….
    Sue

  • http://www.jeffreysass.com sass

    Right on, as usual Chris! I called it “Taking Human Bites” in a post I wrote:

    “We perform better when we feel confident. We feel confident when we have a sense of accomplishment. We have a sense of accomplishment when we are productive and achieve goals. To regularly accomplish goals, we have to set them to be challenging yet attainable. To make goals attainable we have to break them down into human bites. A daily “to-do” list of 100 items is not a human bite. With a daily list that large you are destined for despair. 5 tasks you will actually complete in a day is a bite sized meal that will leave you satisfied that you got stuff done and feeling motivated to do more.”

    Now to set my menu of bite sized goals for today… ;-)

    http://sassholes.blogspot.com/2009/10/take-huma…

    Have a great weekend!

  • http://www.diary4life.com Paul

    Jamie,

    I always thought the S was for specific. Specific goals are crucial to their achivement.

    Also I agree attainable (achievable) and realistic can be confused, however I feel there is an important difference. It is important to consider them in the context of the other terms in the acronym, S, M and T. Whenever I use the acronym I consider something similar to the following.

    A person can attain (achieve) millionaire status, however it may not be realistic because of their current level of income. Time, however can change that.

    In another situation a person can attain (achieve) the winners jersey in the Tour de France, however if they're not in a team it's not realistic. This scenario building helps me define the difference between the two terms.

    Regards

    Paul

  • http://www.jamieflinchbaugh.com Jamie Flinchbaugh

    That's really one of my points – I learned it as Specific, but Chris used Simple above, which I've heard many times before. An acronym that actually doesn't help you remember the actual use of the model isn't helpful.

    But let's take specific. If it is an MT goal – measured and time-bound, how would it not be specific? What possible value does specific add beyond M and T? I've never seen it actually help.

    I agree with your subtle but important differences on the others, but do we really need a framework for that? And goals are to help you figure out what you need to do to get there. Just because I don't have what I need today is no reason not to make it a goal. That's where I feel realistic isn't very necessary.

  • http://www.thinklikeablackbelt.com/ Lori Hoeck

    Sometimes the goal is the tape at the end of the race track; sometimes the goal is a magnet we are drawn toward through a maze of experiences that enhance our arrival.

    I've been goal-intensive in pursuits such as reaching third degree black belt, which a defined set of goals along a time line that is very SMART. I've also let go of goals for the purpose of flow and working on differing levels of non-interference, as in being a caregiver for my mom who has dementia. The bottom line? Choices. There are pivotal points where you say, “I'm not staying in this spot anymore.” That's the decision that leads to movement and opens up the paths of possibility. The “how” is varied, because our personalities and definitions of success require different approaches at varying times in our lives.

  • patrick24601

    This is always a good reminder, but I've come to expect better content from http://chrisbrogan.com . I don't come here or read/watch the content too much – just another division of the internet content that I read. But the goal setting SMART cliche is just way to easy to put out. The reason I and other people read here (IMO) is because I can read unique and different content. Seen and heard the SMART acronym for years now, if not decades. If ChrisB is going to talk about something I expect it to be different and something I have not heard before.

    Keep up the good content.

  • http://twitter.com/ProNagger ProNagger

    Darin, Diane and Paul,
    I don't think setting goals is an either or kind of thing. You can set goals and have fun along the way. You can have surprises and lane changes along the way too. The thing is, you would have never know what it's like to be anything but a shy girl Diane, if you didn't climb that mountain. Along the way you were able to see from new vantage points. You gained perspective you wouldn't have had if you didn't set your goal. Love the process and…know that the finish line is simply another name for the starting gate.

  • http://www.lookwhatmomfound.com Rob Babiak

    Chris. Thanks again for another great installment in the Overnight Success series. Goals are so important to set in order to succeed and they are so easy to forget if not broken down in smaller incriment so that they are more attainable.

    Happy Holidays!

  • http://www.sundaynightsuccess.com Jeremie

    I use SMARTER goal setting with my clients and have found it more successful than SMART goal setting. I use the following acronym:

    Specific
    Measurable
    Actionable
    Relevant
    Time bound
    Emotional response
    Review

    The biggest difference would be the “ER”. For the emotional response I get my clients to think of three “feeling words” that they are hoping to experience once the goal is accomplished. In reality I don't think we are ever really after the goals we set, we are after the feelings that accomplishing that goal will bring about, so we add the “E”.

    The Review component is there because, as was mentioned above, goal setting needs to be fluid and about the journey as well as the final destination. By reviewing the goal on a regular basis, and adapting it based on new opportunities you can determine if the goal is still valid, if it needs to be adapted, or if it needs to be replaced with a new goal that fits you better.

    Good luck to everyone with your general goals, SMART goals, or SMARTER goals for 2010!

  • http://www.tanyageisler.com/ Tanya Geisler

    In coaching, we talk about goals as being specific, measurable, attainable, RESONANT and THRILLING. At the risk of getting a little woo-woo in this space, I'll elaborate:

    “Resonant” meaning that they're aligned with who we are and or becoming (in life and business). It motivates us to accomplish it and often removes a lot of “shoulds” from the conversation about goal-setting.

    “Thrilling” meaning it's a stretch…and an exciting one at that. Why bother striving for same-old, same-old? For a thrilling goal, you'll put in the extra effort…it's a calling forth.

    Thanks, as ever.

  • http://lifedestiny.net Tanner Maluchnik

    I like the smart acronym. I do think you should break it down into years, months, days, but even go as far as to what you should be doing NOW. What action step can you take right now that will take you one step closer to your goal(s).

    @Tanya, I agree goals should resonate who you are..They should resonate to your life values. Values are your guides.

  • http://www.diary4life.com Paul

    Jamie,

    I think that's one of the problems when information is 'passed along the line'; it gets distorted, corrupted or deletions occur, all very innocently. So Chris' interpretation of using simple, while you and I use specific merely goes to demonstrated this point.

    At the end of the day it doesn't really matter; the acronym is one of many tools for goal setters to use and help with the accomplishment of their goals.

    I feel the issue about whether it's simple or specific is important; as coach I've worked with clients who had previously set goals, that were simple but not specific enough. They had not asked enough searching question around the content of the goal.

    For instance a goal to be wealthy is rather meaningless, however if they are asked questions about their feelings, emotions and events etc when they achieve the goal they will be able to add more detail and meaning, making the goal more specific.

    Questions such as:

    What will you be feeling?
    What will people be saying?
    What will you be thinking?
    What does success to you?
    etc.

    Regards

    Paul

  • http://www.diary4life.com Paul

    Jamie,

    I always thought the S was for specific. Specific goals are crucial to their achivement.

    Also I agree attainable (achievable) and realistic can be confused, however I feel there is an important difference. It is important to consider them in the context of the other terms in the acronym, S, M and T. Whenever I use the acronym I consider something similar to the following.

    A person can attain (achieve) millionaire status, however it may not be realistic because of their current level of income. Time, however can change that.

    In another situation a person can attain (achieve) the winners jersey in the Tour de France, however if they're not in a team it's not realistic. This scenario building helps me define the difference between the two terms.

    Regards

    Paul

  • http://www.jamieflinchbaugh.com Jamie Flinchbaugh

    That's really one of my points – I learned it as Specific, but Chris used Simple above, which I've heard many times before. An acronym that actually doesn't help you remember the actual use of the model isn't helpful.

    But let's take specific. If it is an MT goal – measured and time-bound, how would it not be specific? What possible value does specific add beyond M and T? I've never seen it actually help.

    I agree with your subtle but important differences on the others, but do we really need a framework for that? And goals are to help you figure out what you need to do to get there. Just because I don't have what I need today is no reason not to make it a goal. That's where I feel realistic isn't very necessary.

  • http://www.thinklikeablackbelt.com/ Lori Hoeck

    Sometimes the goal is the tape at the end of the race track; sometimes the goal is a magnet we are drawn toward through a maze of experiences that enhance our arrival.

    I've been goal-intensive in pursuits such as reaching third degree black belt, which a defined set of goals along a time line that is very SMART. I've also let go of goals for the purpose of flow and working on differing levels of non-interference, as in being a caregiver for my mom who has dementia. The bottom line? Choices. There are pivotal points where you say, “I'm not staying in this spot anymore.” That's the decision that leads to movement and opens up the paths of possibility. The “how” is varied, because our personalities and definitions of success require different approaches at varying times in our lives.

  • patrick24601

    This is always a good reminder, but I've come to expect better content from http://chrisbrogan.com . I don't come here or read/watch the content too much – just another division of the internet content that I read. But the goal setting SMART cliche is just way to easy to put out. The reason I and other people read here (IMO) is because I can read unique and different content. Seen and heard the SMART acronym for years now, if not decades. If ChrisB is going to talk about something I expect it to be different and something I have not heard before.

    Keep up the good content.

  • http://twitter.com/ProNagger ProNagger

    Darin, Diane and Paul,
    I don't think setting goals is an either or kind of thing. You can set goals and have fun along the way. You can have surprises and lane changes along the way too. The thing is, you would have never know what it's like to be anything but a shy girl Diane, if you didn't climb that mountain. Along the way you were able to see from new vantage points. You gained perspective you wouldn't have had if you didn't set your goal. Love the process and…know that the finish line is simply another name for the starting gate.

  • http://www.lookwhatmomfound.com Rob Babiak

    Chris. Thanks again for another great installment in the Overnight Success series. Goals are so important to set in order to succeed and they are so easy to forget if not broken down in smaller incriment so that they are more attainable.

    Happy Holidays!

  • http://www.sundaynightsuccess.com Jeremie

    I use SMARTER goal setting with my clients and have found it more successful than SMART goal setting. I use the following acronym:

    Specific
    Measurable
    Actionable
    Relevant
    Time bound
    Emotional response
    Review

    The biggest difference would be the “ER”. For the emotional response I get my clients to think of three “feeling words” that they are hoping to experience once the goal is accomplished. In reality I don't think we are ever really after the goals we set, we are after the feelings that accomplishing that goal will bring about, so we add the “E”.

    The Review component is there because, as was mentioned above, goal setting needs to be fluid and about the journey as well as the final destination. By reviewing the goal on a regular basis, and adapting it based on new opportunities you can determine if the goal is still valid, if it needs to be adapted, or if it needs to be replaced with a new goal that fits you better.

    Good luck to everyone with your general goals, SMART goals, or SMARTER goals for 2010!

  • http://www.tanyageisler.com/ Tanya Geisler

    In coaching, we talk about goals as being specific, measurable, attainable, RESONANT and THRILLING. At the risk of getting a little woo-woo in this space, I'll elaborate:

    “Resonant” meaning that they're aligned with who we are and or becoming (in life and business). It motivates us to accomplish it and often removes a lot of “shoulds” from the conversation about goal-setting.

    “Thrilling” meaning it's a stretch…and an exciting one at that. Why bother striving for same-old, same-old? For a thrilling goal, you'll put in the extra effort…it's a calling forth.

    Thanks, as ever.

  • http://lifedestiny.net Tanner Maluchnik

    I like the smart acronym. I do think you should break it down into years, months, days, but even go as far as to what you should be doing NOW. What action step can you take right now that will take you one step closer to your goal(s).

    @Tanya, I agree goals should resonate who you are..They should resonate to your life values. Values are your guides. I've also recently broken down ways to set new years resolutions goals, feel free to find any any valuable addition to your goal setting system.

    Also, living to your life goals and values builds self-confidence, its all a pattern. If your living by your values and making decisions based on your values and goals then you will feel and know you are doing the right thing which takes out the doubt that leads to confidence.

  • http://www.diary4life.com Paul

    Jamie,

    I think that's one of the problems when information is 'passed along the line'; it gets distorted, corrupted or deletions occur, all very innocently. So Chris' interpretation of using simple, while you and I use specific merely goes to demonstrated this point.

    At the end of the day it doesn't really matter; the acronym is one of many tools for goal setters to use and help with the accomplishment of their goals.

    I feel the issue about whether it's simple or specific is important; as coach I've worked with clients who had previously set goals, that were simple but not specific enough. They had not asked enough searching question around the content of the goal.

    For instance a goal to be wealthy is rather meaningless, however if they are asked questions about their feelings, emotions and events etc when they achieve the goal they will be able to add more detail and meaning, making the goal more specific.

    Questions such as:

    What will you be feeling?
    What will people be saying?
    What will you be thinking?
    What does success to you?
    etc.

    Regards

    Paul

  • sarahshawdubois

    I love how your break it down into 1 yr /6 mos/3 mos/1 week/1 day…… This is so important and we often forget and become overwhelmed.

    Thanks again and Happy Holidays

  • julekucera

    SMART has different meanings. I always heard “Specific” but I can see the value in Simple. I prefer Relevant for the R, since Realistic is similar to Attainable. Relevant makes sure that the goal is aligned with my long-term vision or mission.

  • http://BestSellerAuthors.com Warren Whitlock

    SMART goals are the only kind to have

  • http://www.golfmarketingmastery.com/ Kevin Kaye

    One thing I have found about goal setting is its need to be done with the possibility of sudden redirection in mind. You may set a goal to do a specific thing, then on that path you may learn something that takes you in a different (better) direction. You veered off the track of your original goal which may leave you recollecting something negative. This can lead to aggravation and a sense of hopelessness for accomplishing goals. Keeping in mind and accepting the fluidity of our goals will maintain the positivity necessary for progression. I know if I hadn't accepted many changes of course…I wouldn't be in the place I'm enjoying now.

  • marryroy01

    its good that to achieve the traget goal setting and track all the goals points.its good that to achieve the traget goal setting and track all the goals points.Ed talks about focusing down to very specific goals and includes a workbook area for working on goals.

    jeux ds

  • geschenkefrmnner

    Hi,
    Really the goals have to be specific as it is difficult to pursue goals that are ambiguous or not well defined.I personally believe goal setting is a powerful way of motivating people.
    magnesium

  • Pingback: Does Goal-Setting Make You Too Future-Focused? « Mine Your Resources

  • http://www.heymonge.com MrMonge of Hey,Monge!

    Smart Goals are great. It helps bring focus. But the end game is not the goals, they are a means.

    If you use SMART as a tool it can help you achieve your mode of living.

    There never is one solution to achieving the results you want. There are solutions.

    My 2 cents.

  • http://www.developnewproducts.com Carlos Navarro

    Great advice. Simple, but effective. It's so hard for entrepreneurs to stay focused, especially if you're working on an online environment. Breaking your 12 – 24 month goals out into actionable to-do lists for today is the key to success.

  • http://twitter.com/kanter Beth Kanter

    Ah, love smart goals – big nonprofit theme
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/cambodia4kidsorg/3…

  • http://twitter.com/kanter Beth Kanter

    Everytime I do a workshp give people the challenge of coming up with smart goal – they get stuck. It's really hard. Why?

  • mariatamis99

    The video is really an incredible, nice overview.. Thanks a lot for this gr8 information, its really very helpful for me.. I appreciate it..

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  • http://jasonkeath.com jakrose

    I always liked actionable in place of attainable. Attainable and realistic are too similar. Actionable leads to thinking about working toward the goal immediately.

    Semantics, clearly. But food for thought.

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