Reflections on Transitions Part two

Confession:  Believe is my all time favorite word. This word pops up in my life at many important moments.  It always plays a key part in setting up the next chapter – in this instance 2017 for success.  For if we cannot BELIEVE that what we intend to do is purposeful and will lead to a more fulfilled life – why bother?

OPTION ONE:  In business  or some academic settings many folks learned that for a goal to be effective it needs to be SMART. The idea of using this acronym is to provide a more comprehensive framework for goal setting.  The best use of this acronym is to aid in setting goals or “resolutions” in a manner that will make them more meaningful and possibly becoming “more do-able”.  If you have never heard of this, there is tons of information on the internet available for your research.

Several slightly different adaptations exist for  SMART.  I recommend use of the words that make your goals and resolutions more effective for you.  This is effective customization.   If you compare words carefully, you may notice that some letters can seem redundant; so for example, if you set meaningful, then realistic is redundant.  Chose another word.
Let me encourage you to not use a word for the acronym letter simply because you learned it in school or the work place.

Use the word for your personal goals that most reflects YOUR desire to achieve something new in the NEW YEAR.   Pick your acronym for SMART now.  Truly reflect on who you are now, and who you want to be at the end of 2017.  A year from now you will wish you had started now.

One small step…
S – simple, specific, significant, stretching, spiritual
M – mindful, measurable, meaningful, motivational, mind-enhancing
A – agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented, act to obey
R – realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented, rewarding, relationship-oriented, reality-checked
T – time-based, timely, time-driven, tangible, track-able, together (i.e. partner goals)

You now have my urging you forward on to finish your current self-assessment, lock down the lessons learned or issues remaining open from 2016 and begin now and write down your 2017 intentions;  thoughtfully, hopefully, and prayerfully – I’m working on mine, why not join me?

For 2017, my S.M.A.R.T. will stand for Spiritual, Mindful, Action to obey, Relationship – oriented, and Tangible.