by Dr. David Gould
Burien.News Local Contributor
It’s that time of year again when many of us formulate some lofty or not-so-lofty New Year’s Resolutions, such as losing weight, joining a book club, stopping smoking, or some such activity. Most fail for a variety of reasons.
Instead of just making another New Year’s Resolution, try being more specific and positive in outlook and make one or a few SMART Goals. Goal setting is a critical factor in time management as it becomes a focus point and an active set of steps to achieve the outcomes you want in life.
SMART Goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bounded, and therefore, more focused and easier to determine both progress and completion. Adding two additional factors, rationale and implication, are even more helpful. And build in personally positive outcomes.
Some examples:
SMART Goal: To lose 10 pounds of weight this year.
Rationale: I will feel and look better and have more energy to do the things I want to do.
Implications: I will need to improve my diet, reduce waste or empty calories, and exercise more.
SMART Goal: To graduate from high school and complete the first quarter of college this year.
Rationale: The job market is changing, and higher-paying jobs are becoming more technical and/or complex and demanding new and different skills. I will benefit financially and socially because I will gain skills required in the emerging economy.
Implications: I need to set aside time each day to study, learn, and practice new skills and reduce time spent on video games, hanging out, or other non-productive activities.
Setting a few SMART Goals and working toward them is a practical approach to personal and professional improvement and staying relevant in a changing world.
