Now that you have your SMART goal figured out, what do you do? This video lays out three things that you can do immediately to start moving towards your goal. Goals without action are just dreams, so this video breaks down the steps you can take to convert your dream into reality.
Transcript:
You have heard all the talk about how important it is to have clear goals; being able to say exactly what it is that you want is a critical part of actually getting what you want. Now that you can articulate your goal, we’re going to talk about three things you can do with that goal right now to start turning it into a reality.
Having goals is great – it means you know what you want to accomplish. If it’s a good goal, then it is a SMART goal – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, like we talked about in a recent video.
And having a SMART goal is a good step, but it’s only the first step – What do you do now? Good question! Here are the next three steps you can take immediately to set yourself on the path to achievement.
Write it down and put it where you can see it; even better, find an image that represents your goal and stick it some place where you will see it frequently. Maybe a picture of that car you are saving for at your desk, or a picture of those six-pack abs you are working towards on the refrigerator door – whatever it is, write it down and place it where you can’t help but see it every day.
The act of actually writing it out helps to make it more real, and is like signing a contract with yourself. Studies show that those who write down their goals are much more likely to achieve them. The words and images will help you stay disciplined and on track every day.
Create a to-do list. It’s one thing to have a goal, but now you have to act; without action your goal is just a dream. Make a list of things you need to do to achieve your goal, whether it is workout three times a week, save $25 a week, or memorize 10 new vocabulary words every day – figure out what they are, write them down, and put them in a sequence that makes sense.
If you are trying to get to 50 pushups, start with three sets of 10 three times a week; next week make it three sets of twelve, then 14, and keep building from there. Whatever your goal is, map out the steps or increments you need to take to get there in bite-size chunks you know you can handle.
Map the path to your goal in bite-sized chunks, then get to work. Click To Tweet
Put it on the calendar. This is what makes them real. Now you know what you need to do and when you need to do it. Each task in itself won’t be that hard, but when you combine them together they will lead you to accomplishing your goal.
It’s like running a marathon; 26 miles seems like a long way to go, but the only way to get to the finish line is to take that first step, and then another, and another. You have to keep at it, but before you know it, you will be well on your way and the finish line will be coming into sight.
Focus on taking the next step, whatever it is. Click To Tweet
Achieving Your SMART Goal – The Takeaway
So take that SMART goal of yours and start turning it into reality today by writing it down, listing the tasks and steps that will get you there, and putting them on the calendar. And now you know what you need to do every day to make it come true.
From here, all that remains to be done is to do them! Remember, no goal was met without a little sweat – time to get to work and take that first step!
Good luck and thanks for watching.
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Credits
(Source: Summary of Recent Goals Research(PDF here: Gail Matthews Written Goal Study Dominican University), by Gail Matthews, Ph.D., Dominican University)
