We all have acronyms from our school days that will never leave our brains. We learned them once for a test and lo-and-behold, they still dance around in our brains occasionally. My very educated mother just served us nine pizzas,  all good birds do fly,  Roy G. Biv (a weird one if you ask me), and I vaguely think I remember HOMES spells the Great Lakes.

But here’s how I see it: if we can still remember pieces of info from these memory tricks, why don’t we use them more often in real life? One of my favorites in the business world has been around so long, I could never quite find a solid answer as to how it originated, but that in itself is a testament to the fact that so many people have used it or claimed it, it seems to have been around forever.

Another reason I like this little diddy is it works for just about anything you really want to do. So, here’s your challenge: think of something right this second that you really want to do but have struggled with completing.

Got it in your head? Ok. Keep reading.

The concept is Goal Setting and the word is SMART.

Each letter represents a component that must be in a goal in order for you to truly have a reasonable attainable idea. Here’s the match: S-Specific, M-Measurable, A-Attainable, R-Relevant, and T-Time Bound

S-Specific

Too often we do not have objective goals. Remember, objective means it cannot be argued: it is a fact. It is not an opinion, not debatable, but a fact, so ten pounds, quit smoking, never more than one 8 oz glass of wine a night, or go to bed by 11:00 pm are objective specific goals. Feeling better, getting my house in order, working out more, and resting more are NOT specific.

M-Measurable

Again, very similar idea only this time, you state exactly what the goal is in measurable tangible formats. Typically this part of goal setting involves a concrete number.

A-Attainable

Be realistic. No one should ever set a goal that is so unrealistic you set yourself up for failure. One time I bought a tiny pair of jeans at a yardsale that a ten year old couldn’t fit into. I bought them and then tied them to the fridge handle to remind me not to eat. The legs just got tangled up in the door every time I opened it up to get something to eat. Epic fail before I even started.

R-Relevant

I would like for everyone in politics to go away. While that is relevant this month for sure, it isn’t really relevant in my life. Would it really be a goal that is relevant in improving my well being? Probably not.

T-Time Bound

Keeping a date in mind for goal setting provides the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel or the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Whether it be the week before your high school reunion so you have time to buy the perfect LBD or the first day of your beach vacation, setting a date gives you a time to look forward and a time to reap the rewards of the hard work.

Being smart is essential in most areas of life that matter. Being SMART in goal setting allows many proud moments of achievement to be a part of your successful and productive world!