|
4/27/2009
Andrew Kotulak
A Unique Goal Setting Formula
The well-known martial artist and movie star Bruce Lee became supreme exponent of martial arts
and was once the master of masters in kung fu. Through a short but explosive film career he
made the world aware of Chinese martial arts and he then became one of the highest paid movie
stars in the world. For Bruce Lee to become successful he had to overcome incredible obstacles.
As you know, he had to overcome the obstacles of being the first Chinese movie star in the
West. There was a lot of prejudice towards the Chinese so this was a huge challenge… However,
Bruce overcome all the obstacles and he even used his martial arts as a medium to unite the
eastern and western culture and bring down the racial barriers at that time.
In Planet Hollywood in New York City, there is a letter hanging on the wall that Bruce Lee
wrote to himself many years before he was successful. The letter is stamped and is dated
January 9, 1970. Bruce wrote on this letter clearly what his goal was to be.
It said:  "By 1980 I will be the best known oriental movie
star in the United States and will have secured $10 million dollars. And in return I will
give the very best acting I can possibly give every single time I am in front of the
camera and I will live in peace and harmony" Bruce Lee attained this goal and
he became a mega superstar and attained huge wealth well beyond the goal he set. The
formula that Bruce Lee used is called “ Goal Setting"Many other successful people like Richard Branson, Steve Jobs,
Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Napoleon Hill, Donald Trump, Brian Tracy, Tiger Woods,
Michael Jordan, Anthony Robbins, have discovered a unique goal setting formula to achieve great success in their lives. What is this unique
formula? SMART Goals!
What is a SMART goal?
Smart Goals is goal setting using the acronym S.M.A.R.T.
Successful people know the importance of setting specific goals and is one of the most
important habits that you should develop. An extremely effective form of goal setting is
SMART goals. I have heard of variations for the acronym. Regardless, Smart goals
have the following characteristics:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant or also Realistic
Time-bound or also Tangible
Specific
A specific goal is one that is clear and easy. Be
straightforward about what you are trying to accomplish. When you clearly define what you
are going to do, you ar better able to focus your efforts. Let's look at Bruce
Lee's example. For instance, instead of setting a goal like “I want to be a movie star”,
he set a smart goal, “I will be the best known oriental movie star in the United
States".
Measurable
It is also very important that your goal be measurable. Remember
the old adage that you can’t manage what you can’t measure. So instead of saying “My goal
is to make money”, he said “secure 10 million dollars”. That is a specific and
measurable goal.
This is also where you can build in short-term measurements to help you with your progress.
When you can see the changes occur, you are more likely to stay on track.
Achievable
Your smart goal should be challenging and yet achievable.
Don’t set yourself up for failure, but don't make them easy either. If the goal is
important to you, you begin to figure out ways to reach them. You begin to see previously
overlooked opportunities.
Goals which are too far out of your reach are hard to commit
to. Even with the best intentions, if you feel it's too much, your subconscious mind
will operate this way and stop you from being your best.
You can always make the goal more challenging once you achieve
your original goal, but don’t sign up to do something that you know you cannot do. This
will only lead to disappointments and will negatively impact your self-esteem. So instead
of saying “I will be a movie start by the end of the month”, Bruce gave himself 10 years.
He wrote out his goal in 1970. His goal date - 1980.
Relevant
Your smart goal needs to be relevant to your objectives.
If your goal doesn’t move you closer to what you want to achieve, then there is no point
in setting the goal. In Bruce's example he didn't state by being the best martial artist
in the world he will become a great star. Bruce Lee stated " I will give the very best acting I can possibly give every
single time I am in front of the camera" This is relevant to his desired
outcome.
Time-Bound
Last, but not least, your goal needs to be
time-bound. You must give yourself a deadline for achieving your goal: Next month, in
three months, by the time you are 40. And end point gives you a clear target to work
towards.
So, the examples given above, Bruce clearly stated "By 1980". In your goal, add the word ‘by’,
followed by the specific time, day, month or year when you will achieve your goal. A
great 7 step goal setting system teaches you how to set and achieve a goal. Remember to keep the goal challenging but achievable, so don’t give yourself a
deadline that you know you cannot achieve.
These are the five components of SMART goals. Write down
your SMART goals and look at them on a regular basis. One of the best ways to do this is
the use of goal cards. Simple business size cards you can keep in your pocket or on your
desk to easily remind you of your goals. Do not establish more than 10 goals at a time.
As you achieve your goals, mark them as complete and add new ones.
If you do a good job establishing SMART goals as
suggested above and follow through on working towards achieving your goals you will be on
your way to success.
Are you good at setting goals but not so good at following
through?
Here is a fun solution that
utilizes software and worksheets to keep you on
track.
NEXT WEEK:
Setting Goals Part III: Manage Time By Setting Priorities
Andrew Kotulak is a contributing editor to Setting Goals For Yourself Part II in for
Unlimited Success Online's Success Strategies newsletter. Andrew has 15 years experience in
manufacturing management in which time he has traveled far and wide improving processes and
managing teams. Andrew has recently turned his attention to the internet, operating multiple
websites providing resources for leadership, career and business success.
|
