7+ Goal Success Tips

To live our best lives, we need goals, and a plan to achieve them.  When we set our goals, we want them to be SMARTER and incorporate the 7Cs. 

SMARTER:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time-bound
Evaluative
Rewarding

7Cs:
Claim
Clear
Cheerleader
Courageous
Collaborate
Consistently
Celebrate

Bringing all these elements together will bring joy and clarity to the goal setting and planning process improving your opportunities for success. 

Let’s look at goal setting and planning with SMARTER and the 7Cs.

1. Identify your goals and be Specific defining exactly what each one is.  This will help you recognise your successes when they are achieved.  Now, Claim your goals putting them in writing and keeping them close.  Even if others attempt to discourage you; stay the course. 

2. Make your goals Measurable.  This will help you identify milestones and recognise your successes along the way, enabling you to maintain a Clear focus and push through times of adversity. 

3. Ask if your goals are Attainable.  Set yourself up for success not failure. Expecting to lose 10kgs in 2 weeks is probably not attainable so this should not be a goal.  Part of setting yourself up for success is to find yourself a Cheerleader who will pick you up when you are down and keep you moving.  Choose someone dependable to champion you along, keep you accountable and encourage you when you are faltering and then celebrate with you when you reach your goal. 

4. The next check is to be sure each goal is Relevant.  You can measure relevance by asking “Will achieving this goal lead me to my next goal and give me cause to celebrate?”  Be Courageous in understanding the relevance of your goal.  Goals can be scary, trust in yourself and follow through. 

5. Be Time-bound.  Set a deadline to achieve your goal, this will create urgency and increase your chances of success.  Collaborating along the way will bring in resources you need and enable you to meet your time commitments. 

6. Ensure that your goal is Evaluative.  This will enable you to regularly review your plan and make amendments. Remember that your plan is not set in stone so don’t be rigid in following it if there is just cause for change but be sure to act Consistently with your evaluative technique. 

7. Finally, achieving your goals should be Rewarding and it is a great idea to reward yourself for each achievement.  I suggest that whilst you are identifying your goals you also identify the rewards, you’re your achievements.  Doing this will offer another target and possibly give you extra motivation.