Get S.M.A.R.T. (goals)

BREATHE!

One of the best ways to think about goals is the acronym “S.M.A.R.T.”

Specific, Meaningful, As-if-Now, Realistic, Time-Bound

There are other perspectives, of course, but looking at the M.A.G.I.C. formula, this is a sound, sane way to define “Intent.”

Specific means you have a particular picture in mind. Not “money” but “increase my net worth by 10k a year” (for instance)

Meaningful means that YOU CARE ABOUT IT. They aren’t goals you’ve chosen because someone else wants you to do it, or society tells you you must. IF it doesn’t connect with your heart, doesn’t further your values and self-image, isn’t aligned with your beliefs and intentions…you will never be able to put 100% of yourself into it, and that’s what it takes.

As-If-Now means that you say “I AM.” “I HAVE”. Not “I will someday…”. You need to phrase it as if it exists NOW, because the point of goals is to define who you would have to be to accomplish it, and then every day work to be THAT PERSON. As Tananarive and I say about our career challenges and opportunities: “We ARE that bitch.” We ARE the people who can do the things that create the states and reality. NOW. And if you feel less comfortable saying it than you would saying “I am human” then you are looking at the part of yourself that has its brakes on. YOU DON’T BELIEVE YOU ARE THE PERSON WHO CAN HAVE AND DO THE THINGS. If you want to know why you sabotage yourself, don’t keep your word to yourself, it is right here…