
Set Goals in Your Life, A “Smart” Move
Set Clear Goals in Your Life, A “Smart” Move
A leader, coach or trainer, knows how to set clear goals and benchmarks and transfer their understanding to their team or followers, clients and students. Understanding the entire goal-setting process is imperative for a leader. A leader understands that goal setting and delegating are skills that they can improve and learn. You can start learning goal setting by studying how to make SMART goals.
What are SMART goals?
S.M.A.R.T. is a mnemonic acronym, giving criteria to guide in the setting of objectives, for example in project management, employee-performance management and personal development, as well as personal physical training. The SMART in SMART goals stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Defining these parameters as they pertain to your goal helps ensure that your objectives are attainable within a certain time frame. This approach eliminates generalities and guesswork, sets a clear timeline, and makes it easier to track progress and identify missed milestones. One planner that may help you get to the heart of your goals is the High Performance Planner written by Brendon Burchard. There are many prompts to really help you set “SMART” goals.
An example of a SMART-goal statement might look like this: My goal is to walk three times a week for at least 30 minutes before Saturday night this week. I will take the dog or a family member to the park or walk in my neighborhood. Accomplishing this goal will help me feel better and boost my immune system. I will reward myself by getting a massage. (You can create your goal to be much more personalized for your situation)
A SMART goal is created by ensuring that the goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound. All this means is that you take the time to describe goals so that it creates action steps for you or others to follow. Keeping a journal or the recommended planner, you will stay accountable. You can also join a group that you can check in with on a regular basis. Figure out what Roadblocks you have in your exercise routine in this article that I wrote a while ago.
Being clear on what needs to be done and how to do it will help all parts of the process. Once you set the goals, you can identify areas that can function as targets to judge current and future success.
Whether you lead volunteers at a church, service organization, or community group, or you’re working with professionals in the workplace, you’ll want to make sure you’re setting goals and benchmarks that
are crystal clear to everyone. Missing this step can have dire consequences and limit your ability to make progress in the way you intended.
Here I am going to recommend a book from Brené Brown, Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. This book exemplifies what it means to lead from the heart and to create a
team of like-minded individuals with every project you embrace. I know when I started my online gym it took a while to build confidence in myself to team to help me create a sustainable business. I had to learn how to set clear goals the SMART way.
Action Steps: Think back to a situation in which you worked with a leader who set clear goals and
benchmarks for you (and others) to follow. What was that experience like for you? How did it make
you feel? Now think about a similar experience, except that the leader was not clear about the goals
and benchmarks that were to be reached and achieved. Write down your thoughts on these two
experiences and see what comes up for you.
About the Author
I am Kathy Denise Hicks, Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist and author and I would love to connect with you to help you achieve your fitness and health goals If you are looking to get moving, feel more energy, get out of pain, and lose a few pounds, I have a program that can help. My 14 Day Workout Trial, will give you an idea of the classes I offer.

