New Year, New You? #SMARTgoals 2020

Happy New Year Readers,

It’s like what? 15 days into the new year. Where did all the time go?

• 

It’s interesting what has been happening right into the new year; the fire in Australia, President Trump ordering the execution of one of Iran’s top general, the Ukrainian plane that crashed at Iraq and just so many other things that might not even make it to the news.

All of these just bring me to the reality that a new year doesn’t automatically put a halt to unpleasant experiences/events. These occurrences also make me understand that the new year, new me motto is not automatic. Things will still stay the same if we do not actively change up something – routine, attitudes, thoughts or whatever it is.

So how intentional have you been with 2020 and your life in general? You know time keeps rolling and even if this feels like the 15th day in 2020 it’s technically also day 365 for someone born on January 15, 2019 (Pause: What day is it for you now?). No wonder the Psalmist prays “so teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” Psalm 90:12 KJV

However, what I really love about the new year, new month, new week and new day vibe is that it can bring you to a point of reflection and re-strategizing. So today, I have decided to share on the SMART template tool for setting goals. The S in the acronym stands for Specific, M for Measurable, A for Acheivable/Attainable , R for Realistic, T for Time-bound. This tool helps you break down your goals into smaller achievable tasks versus making a broad statement. Let me give an example;

If one of your goals is to better manage your personal finance, then using the SMART goal template you would break it down this way;

• Specific: Here you are more direct about what you want to achieve under that broad goal statement. In this example of personal finance, a statement like I want to save more is appropriate
• Measurable: For this part, you create a system to track your progress. How will you know you are a better saver? So you can say that I want to save $5000 compared to my $2500 last year.
• Attainable: How feasible is your goal of saving $5000? What will you currently need to do to save $5000? Are you working or unemployed? Full time or part time?You have to take all these factors into consideration. You can say I want to save $5000 by saving at least 10% of my income monthly
• Realistic: Given your current circumstances – what you are currently earning and your monthly expenses, can you save 10% of your income monthly? This also ties in with the Attainable portion of your goal
• Time-bound: Lastly you have to give a time frame to your goal. So you say this year I want to save $5000

When we put all of these factors together, the goal becomes I want to save $5000 this year by putting aside 10% of my monthly income. This sort of gives you the how of achieving your goal.

You can also use this template for setting spiritual goals. For example I want to grow spiritually this year;

• Specific: I want to read my bible a lot more this year
• Measurable: I want to go through all the chapters in the bible this year
• Attainable: Are there resources out there that can help me? Have people done this before?
• Realistic: With my work or school schedule can I achieve this
• Time bound: By June 2020 I should have read half way through the bible

So your goal statement then becomes: ” I want to grow spiritually this year by reading through my bible in a year (and applying what is written therein) using the bible in a year plan. I would set aside 30 minutes in my day to just read the word, no distraction”

My point is when you make that goal, ensure it has the SMART components to it as it boosts your chances of achieving the goal.

Love and Light,

Temiloluwa