Setting Goals

Take a moment.

Pause.

Think about 5 values you have in your life right now.

List them out or hold them close.

Now, name 3 times in the past month where you did something that completely aligned with each of those values.

Last thing I’ll ask, were you able to do that successfully? Obviously no one is checking your answers but hold yourself accountable and check in. I have noticed the more people I meet, the more settings I find myself in, a lot of people don’t walk the walk. Myself included at times but I have really begun to check in and make sure I am doing what I say I want to do as often as I can be.

You are what you do

To simplify this, together let’s choose one value to act on today. I value putting 100% of myself into the projects I decide to be a part of, so today I am working on just that in a cafe until my laptop dies! That is the goal and I’m excited to be productive. There is no right time to start changing your habits or checking in on what you truly value in life and what makes you, you. So start now and be better each day.

Goals for ourselves that only we are monitoring and are in control of are powerful. Our process is only our own. No one needs to be let in on the steps you take, the mistakes you make and the successes you have if you don’t want them to be. THAT is a beautiful thing. Every day set three small goals and check them off. Make them Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Bound. SMART goals set us up for success! Here’s how to make sure your goals are SMART and set yourself up for success.

Be Specific

There is no point in setting a goal that isn’t aligned with your values or your skill set. Yes you can have long term goals that may seem out of reach right now but between now and then you need to create smaller milestones to hit that are specific to that goal. For example, I want to run a marathon. My specific goal for this month is to consistently run 3-4 times a week for 40 min. I can’t go from nothing to a marathon just because I want to.

Make it Measurable

Make sure you can track your work. Work with no data is frustrating. You have to have proof that what you’re doing is working and if it isn’t, you know how to change it. Let’s stick to the Marathon example. The goal of 40 minutes is specific. Not specific to miles but by the end of the month comparing that first 40 minute run to the last and seeing the increase in distance I was able to hit in the time frame I gave myself.

Keep it Attainable

Don’t set goals you don’t think you can hit with some hard work. Working your way up to that GRAND goal is important to prove you can get where you want to go. If you know you can’t run for 40 minutes straight yet, start with 10. Check in on yourself and adjust. Reminder, these are your goals, abilities and process!

Is it even Relevant?

Is the work you’re doing getting you to that end goal? So I want to run a marathon but I think 100 push ups a day seems really cool! Yeah, it is. But, is that helping me reach my goal of running a marathon? No. You can create another goal within that but just doing 100 pushups a day and saying “but I’m working hard every day” is not going to translate to the outcome you want. That may seem like a silly example but it translates. Do what you can to put yourself in the best possible position to reach your goal!

Keep it Time-Bound

Every month adjust your goal. Up your running time, increase your distance and continue pushing yourself. Once you’re comfortable, set realistic milestones. For example, I want to run a marathon in a year. Every month I am going to be able to run at least one more mile consistently. Small changes are still changes and they are changes in the right direction.

Start now. And hey! If this example of running a marathon interests you apply for one of our races here email [email protected] and lets get you running for SGU !! ;)