There are only a few more hours left of 2011 and this is a popular time for reflection.  We tend to look back at the year to assess the good, the bad, the accomplishments and outstanding items.  This seems to provide a measurement on “how did I do” which might lend some insight into “what shall I set up in 2012”.

If you have set up SMART goals, then measurement is very easy and you don’t need to wait until the year end to assess.  SMART goals follow the acronym by being: specific, measureable, attainable, relevant and time bound.

Can you see a difference?

I want to lose this extra weight.

I want to lose 25 lbs for summer.

Although both goals are specific and measureable, the second one is SMART because it adds the aspects of attainable, relevant and time-bound.

If you are serious about setting great goals for 2012, then take on a bigger challenge and set SMARTER goals.  These take SMART goals two steps further by adding the need to evaluate and re-evaluate.

Staying with the examples above, a SMARTER goal would be

I want to lose 5 lbs every month.

With a goal like this, you can assess at the end of every month the degree of success, what worked and what did not work.  From there, the goal might change as you move forward and look like this

I want to work out 3 times per week to lose 5 lbs every month.

This being a new year, keep in mind the essence of goal setting:  be clear on what you want.  Drop the vagueness, the niceties and the glamour and nail down what you will do in a SMARTER way to reach your goals.

We wish you all the best in 2012 and hope you have all the success in life, health and business.  If you need a hand setting SMARTER goals, then drop us a line at pam@thepossibilities.ca or 604-349-8660 so we can help get you started. We can help work with the management too; check out our Building Better Bosses Program.