Why you need to stop making SMART goals
Warning: You’re in for a bit of a rant here. Keep reading if you want to listen to my impromptu TED talk.
Some people hate setting goals. And I have a lot to say on that subject. Because the way you’ve been taught to set goals is kind of sucky. So it’s either (1) not fun or (2) you get sick of not hitting your goals so you associate goal-setting with feeling like a sucky pile of fail.
Let’s start with "SMART" goals. It’s a popular formula people use to teach goal-setting.
SMART stands for:
* Specific
* Measurable
* Attainable
* Realistic/Relavant
* Time-bound
Cute, right? Too bad cute doesn’t get the job done. Listen, I’ve taught SMART goals to people. I understand the theory behind it. But the SMART formula is fundamentally flawed.
Side note: I’m not going to throw the baby out with the bath water. SMART goals are not only a precious acronym, but there are some keepers in here. I’ve written about that here.
The “M” in SMART goals should stand for “Mediocre”
“Measurable” sounds nice, right? But if you’ve done your job with the specific goals, you should be in pretty good shape. Measurable is nice. But there are things that are way better.
First of all, planning.
SMART goals don’t teach you how to actually achieve the goals. You set a goal? Great! Now what? Most people know how to set goals. They don’t know how to follow through.
What you really need here is a plan.
What steps you will take to achieve your goals?
What obstacles will you encounter?
How will you overcome the obstacles?
How will you evaluate what’s working and what needs improvement?
Wouldn’t this serve you so much better than something that’s only “measurable”?
Here comes the rant about SMART goals
I know. You thought I’d already ranted. Brace yourself, cause I’m about to be really real. It’s because I love you and I believe in you and your goals and the “A” and “R” in SMART goals is jacking up all the things. “Attainable” and “Realistic” - I’m coming for you.
Conventional wisdom holds that if you have a goal that seems out of reach, you will get discouraged and you won’t go after it. And I actually agree. BUT - that is a THOUGHT PROBLEM, NOT A GOAL PROBLEM. Do you really want to give up on your goal and settle because of your self-imposed limitations? Eff that.
Here’s how you decide what’s attainable and realistic: You look to the past. You think that will tell you what you’re capable of. And you double down on your beliefs in your limitations.
The past can provide helpful information. If you’re willing to evaluate it, you can learn a lot. But the past is crap at determining what is attainable for you. It just leads to you creating more of the same in your life.
If you are 100% sure you can achieve something, why are you even setting a goal? It’s a done deal. You don't need to set goals to create more of the same in your life.
Forget SMART goals. Make goals that are worth your time and energy
All your failures lead to your successes. Everything that doesn't work leads to the thing that does.
I had to date a bunch of questionable guys before I met my husband.
I had to crash on my bike a million times before I learned to balance.
You will suck at new things until you don’t.
So why not choose a goal that actually excites you? Choose one you really want to achieve. Choose one that sort of makes you want to throw up in your mouth because you’re not 100% sure you can achieve it. Choose one that leads to growth.
Don’t create goals on a foundation of self-doubt. Create goals to explore what’s possible. Find out what you can really do. Grow. Get uncomfortable. Have fun. Fail. Make a plan. Find support. And keep going.
SMART goals are not the answer. You are.
If you’re ready to finally get things done but you haven’t been able to do it on your own, then we should talk.
Hi! I’m Erica
Wife to Brendan. Mom to twins + one. Dog mom. Slow runner. Coffee drinker. GIF enthusiast.
I’m a licensed mental health therapist and life coach and career coach. I help you accomplish in 6 months that thing you’ve been thinking about doing for years.
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