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What are your SMART goals?
May 01, 2024
Hey!

SMART goals?

Before we begin: If you enjoy this newsletter, please forward it along. If someone forwarded this to you, click here to sign up https://www.100goalsclub.com/life-goals-club-membership.html

100 Goals Club is a complimentary newsletter that specializes in helping you plan your life goals in 10 important areas.

1. Personal Development

2. Health and Fitness

3. Family and Friends

4. Hobbies and Passions

5. Financial

6. Career

7. Adventure

8. Travel

9. Lifestyle

10. Leaving a Legacy / Giving Back

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This newsletter focuses on what SMART goals are and how you write them!

Quotes

"The most important thing about goals is having one." - Geoffry F. Abert

"What gets measured gets improved." - Peter Drucker

"The secret to getting ahead is getting started." - Mark Twain

"The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me." - Ayn Rand

"A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action becomes reality." - Greg S. Reid

"Your goals are the road maps that guide you and show you what is possible for your life." - Les Brown

"Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible." - Tony Robbins


SMART goal setting

SMART goal setting starts with understanding the "SMART" acronym:

S - Specific

M - Measurable

A - Attainable

R - Relevant

T - Timebound

Each of these is detailed below:

S P E C I F I C

Be very specific about your goals. The following illustrates poorly written goal vs well written goals

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Poorly Written Non-Specific Goal

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I want to lose weight

I will travel the world

I want to get in shape

I want to make more money

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Well Written Specific Goal

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I will achieve my optimal body weight of 160 lbs before my Xth birthday.

I will travel to a major city on each continent before I turn 50.

I will be able to do 50 push-ups and run a mile without stopping, by May 1, 2025.

I will increase my income by $ 5,000 within the next year by Dec 31, 2024.

M E A S U R A B L E

Goals need to be measurable in terms of knowing whether or not you have achieved your goal or not. A goal that says “I want to lose weight” is not measurable. A goal to lose a total of 25 lbs is.

A T T A I N A B L E

Your “Target” goals need to be attainable. Your “Outrageous” goals do not. Select target goals that any reasonable person, specifically you, will say that with dedicated effort and time, the goal is an attainable goal given your current circumstances in life.

If you currently have a 65% average in your senior year of High School and want to go to University to be a Veterinarian or a Doctor, its not realistic to think you could attain that goal due to the high entrance averages required for these programs, typically 90%+.

As an outrageous goal however, if you are passionate about this, definitely write it down.

R E L E V A N T

Smart goal setting needs to be relevant to your life. To use the above example of being a Doctor, if you currently have very little interest in the medical field and want to be a Doctor because of the high-income potential or your parents wanting this for you, I would suggest to you this goal is not relevant to who you are as a person.

Choose goals that are relevant to you and the life you want to live.

T I M E B O U N D

The time component of SMART goal setting is to be time specific by saying when you will accomplish your goal.

In setting Life Goals, because of the longer-term nature of these goals, the aspect of time achievement will likely be longer term than if you were establishing goals with a shorter horizon. It is best to establish goals which are a balance of short, medium and long-term goals.

If all your goals can be accomplished within the next year then you are setting your goals too easy. If they will all take a “lifetime” to achieve, then they’re too difficult.

Set goals which are a balance of goals you will accomplish within the next year, 5 years, 10 years and within your lifetime.

Goals need a timeline to create a sense of urgency to get them done. Without a firm due date that you commit to, your goals will drift.

You don’t need to worry about doing this for all 100 Goals. Pick the most important top 5, 10 or 20 that you will be serious about achieving and give them firm due dates.

Some of the goals you set will have a recurring time frame, meaning that you want to commit to achieving them annually or each decade.


Examples of SMART goals

The following takes one goal for each of the 10 Goal Categories and states the goal, followed by the way to make it "SMART" for each of these important elements . . .

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT GOAL: Complete a 10-week online course on digital marketing fundamentals.

Specific: Enroll in an accredited digital marketing course focusing on fundamentals.

Measurable: Achieve a minimum grade of 80% on all course assessments.

Attainable: Allocate 2 hours per day for study and coursework completion.

Relevant: Enhance skills relevant to current job and future career aspirations in marketing.

Time-bound: Complete the course by December 31st.

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HEALTH & FITNESS GOAL: Run a half marathon in under 2 hours.

Specific: Train for a half marathon race to improve endurance and speed.

Measurable: Track running progress using a fitness app, aiming for consistent improvement in pace.

Attainable: Follow a structured training plan, gradually increasing mileage and intensity.

Relevant: Prioritize cardiovascular health and endurance.

Time-bound: Participate in the local half marathon race on October 15th.

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FAMILY AND FRIEND GOAL: Plan and host a monthly family game night.

Specific: Organize a recurring family gathering centered around playing games.

Measurable: Track attendance and variety of games played each month.

Attainable: Coordinate schedules with family members and prepare refreshments or snacks.

Relevant: Strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories.

Time-bound: Hold the first family game night on the last Friday of the month.

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HOBBIES AND PASSIONS GOAL: Complete a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle within one month.

Specific: Work on completing a challenging jigsaw puzzle.

Measurable: Track daily progress by the number of puzzle pieces assembled.

Attainable: Dedicate at least 30 minutes each evening to puzzle-solving.

Relevant: Cultivate patience and problem-solving skills.

Time-bound: Finish the puzzle by June 30th.

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FINANCIAL GOAL: Save $5000 for a down payment on a house in the next year.

Specific: Allocate funds specifically for a down payment on a house.

Measurable: Set up automatic transfers of $416.67 per month into a dedicated savings account.

Attainable: Reduce unnecessary expenses and increase income through freelance work.

Relevant: Work towards long-term financial stability and homeownership.

Time-bound: Reach the savings goal by May 1st of next year.

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CAREER GOAL: Secure a promotion to a managerial position within two years.

Specific: Aim for a managerial position within the company.

Measurable: Set quarterly goals for acquiring new skills and taking on additional responsibilities.

Attainable: Seek mentorship and professional development opportunities within the company.

Relevant: Align with career aspirations and desire for increased responsibility.

Time-bound: Meet with supervisor to discuss promotion prospects by the end of the first year.

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ADVENTURE GOAL: Hike to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Specific: Plan and prepare for a hiking expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro.

Measurable: Train regularly by hiking progressively longer and steeper trails.

Attainable: Research and book a guided trek with experienced guides.

Relevant: Fulfill a lifelong dream of summiting one of the Seven Summits.

Time-bound: Schedule the trek for September 1st to September 7th.

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TRAVEL GOAL: Visit five European countries within six months.

Specific: Plan and execute a multi-country European trip.

Measurable: Keep a travel journal documenting experiences in each country visited.

Attainable: Plan an itinerary that allows for efficient travel between countries.

Relevant: Explore diverse cultures and historical landmarks.

Time-bound: Complete the European tour by December 31st.

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LIFESTYLE GOAL: Purchase a reliable used car within the next six months that fits within my budget.

Specific: Research and identify a selection of used cars that meet my transportation needs.

Measurable: Compare prices, mileage, and condition of various cars to ensure a good value.

Attainable: Determine a realistic budget based on current financial status and potential financing options.

Relevant: Acquire a vehicle that enhances mobility and fits within my lifestyle without causing financial strain.

Time-bound: Finalize the purchase and take ownership of the chosen car by November 30th.

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GIVING BACK AND LEGACY GOAL: Volunteer at a local animal shelter for at least 50 hours this year.

Specific: Dedicate time to volunteer at a local animal shelter.

Measurable: Keep a log of volunteer hours and tasks performed.

Attainable: Commit to volunteering one evening per week or a full day once a month.

Relevant: Support a cause aligned with personal values and passion for animal welfare.

Time-bound: Complete the 50 hours of volunteering by December 31st.


Life is Hard

I just came across a social media post on "X" that resonated with me about life. It was from a man named Dalton Brewer. His "handle" is that he is a "student of life" and "Optimistic futurist" who loves to write. It goes like this . . .

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Life is hard.

Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard.

Being broke is hard. Being financially disciplined is hard.

Being obese is hard. Being fit and healthy is hard.

Hating is hard. Loving is hard.

It’s all hard.

Choose your hard.

Let’s popularize long-term thinking.

Instant gratification is the enemy and the path to mediocrity.

The path of discipline is the road few have traveled but will be the most rewarding in the end.

Would you like the pain of regret?

Or the pain it took to achieve your dreams and goals?

Choose your hard, choose your pain, delay your gratification and walk the path of a disciplined warrior up the stairs of destiny.

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Being a long term thinker is such a good way to be. Such an amazing way to think about your life . . .


Another Anniversary

Kathy and I just celebrated our 33rd anniversary together. We've built a great life together and are continuing to live our unique adventure.

It's amazing how time flies when you're just living life.

How many years has it been for you with you and your partner, married or not?

Time will pass no matter what. It's the journey that counts, not the final destination.

Cherish the time you have together and build a life that is remarkable.


Next newsletter . . .

In my upcoming newsletter scheduled for June 1st, I'll discuss how you should plan now for your retirement, given my insights of being retired for 3 years.

I'll also give you some highlights from our trip (a 2024 life goal) including cruise ports in: Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania ,Latvia, Estonia and followed by 4 nights in Finland to visit family!

Brian Klodt founder of the 100 Goals Club

CREATE YOUR ADVENTURES! https://www.100goalsclub.com brian@100goalsclub.com

P.S. What is one of the goals that you set and achieved? Email me and do tell!

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