Inspiring New Actions

April is here! And so is the second quarter of 2024.  If you are like most people, you probably started out this new year with a lot of excitement around your goals. You know, a new you for the new year kind of thing. 

I love the energy a new year brings too. On January 1st every year we are filled with excitement, hope and energy. We feel optimistic about our future and all the things we are going to do to “make this our best year ever”.  And for a while, we are using that feeling to move quickly in the direction of our dreams. Until…one day, the resolve that was a part of our resolutions starts to wane.

Check in: How are you doing? Are you on track right with your goals right now? How are you feeling? Are you feeling the same way you did about your goals today as you did 90 days ago?

Well, whether you do or not yet, let’s focus on how this CAN still be your best year ever!  Turn your resolutions into reality by focusing on the reality of things.  Creating goals is important to our achievement however, not when our goals are unrealistic or too out of reach. The challenge may come because we don’t take the time to figure out HOW to achieve the goals. 

It is easier to succeed when you have clearly defined objectives that are based in reality and are SMART.  The SMART goal framework will help you clearly define your goals and attain them within a certain timeframe. When you work through each step you will also be able to uncover when priorities might be out of alignment.

Here is the framework for creating SMART goals:

Specific

For a goal to be effective it needs to be specific. A specific goal should answer questions like:

1.     What needs to be done?
2.     Who needs to do it?
3.     What are the steps we need to take?

Measurable

This is quantifying the goal and asking the question, “How much do we want to accomplish and by when?” This allows us to track our activities against the goal.

Achievable

The part of the process where we give ourselves a reality check. We want to set ourselves up for success. While goals are always about pushing ourselves further, we also want to make sure that we are being realistic about it. Is it attainable, do we have all the tools and resources we need to accomplish the goal?

Relevant

Consider the big picture. What is your vision for your business and life? WHY is this goal important to you and will accomplishing it get you closer to the things you truly want?

Time Bound

For an intention to be a goal it must have a timeline and a deadline. What is your target objective and what is the target date to achieve it?

Knowing how to use the SMART goal framework will help you succeed, and it will also help you right now to get back on track if you feel you might be losing some momentum as we get into the second quarter of this year.

Here are a few more tips I can share with you that will inspire more action:

• Write it down.  Writing down your goals forces you to get clear about what you want. 
• Tell someone. Talking about your goal(s) -regardless of what it is - with someone else will give you support and encouragement as well as a sense of accountability. And when you choose the right accountability partner, like a coach, that will accelerate your progress.
• Take steps toward your goals every day.  Even small steps taken toward a goal consistently will move you in the right direction.  Focus on progress rather than perfection.  Consistent effort over time is how we accomplish our goals so don't give up!
• Decide and act. The one thing that gets in the way of accomplishing our goals is often ourselves. The first step in getting out of your own way is to decide what you really want with clarity and commitment.  Then the next step is to act!  A decisive plan and a positive outlook are great but that alone does not get the job done. Nothing changes without action.
• Celebrate your wins.  Anytime you reach a milestone in your progress, stop for a moment and celebrate!  Acknowledge your accomplishments in a positive way.  Recognizing your progress and celebrating your success along the way is rewarding and that will inspire you to stick to your action plan.