BE SMART AND IT’S A WRAPP

I was cleaning out the garage and came upon some old notes about setting goals. Now that I am done with all that cleaning fun (yeah, right), I thought I’d share my notes with you. The notes are pre-1989. Yes, they are vintage! But, I think this different angle on setting goals may resonant with you.

Both methods use an acronym to keep the process memorable.

SMART Goals
First, what are we doing here in the 21st Century? We are all about SMART goals. You know:

Specific – Have a narrow scope for your goal. If your goal is huge, use smaller goals to get to the big one. E.g., “get a job” is too big of a goal. Break it down into “send out 10 résumés per week tailored for each job posting” is a better goal. Is this something you can accomplish?

Measureable – Find a way to measure your progress. You want to be able to see and measure your progress. The above “ten résumés” nails this requirement.

Achievable – Ensure your goal is in your control. Yes, it passes the test. Sending out résumés is entirely in my control. The quantity could be problematic. How many job openings do you really find? Is it possible for you to succeed at this goal?

Resonate – Does your goal excite you? Do you really want to do this? If you don’t want a job, then this is not your goal. It might be a family member’s goal for you. Who is driving this goal? If it isn’t you, change the goal!

Time-bound – Have deadlines. In the job search, sending out ten résumés per week might be a stretch in this economy. You might only find five opening per week. When will you do it and when will you finish it?

“I’ll publish my book.” This goal is not in my control. That makes it unachievable. It is not specific enough either. It does resonate with me. Sending it to 10 publishers is in my control and is achievable. Sending it out to 10 publishers by September 15th ensures it will get done. That’s a SMART goal.

WRAPP Goals

There are multiple words for each letter. Here they are:

W – Willing, wants

R – Readiness, risk
A – Abilities, assets
P – Possibilities, predictions
P – Probabilities (future)

Create alternatives to what you are currently doing or what is currently available. Get information and be broad in your application. For example, you want to be a teacher. But, a broader view means you could teach in public schools and private schools.

Using the acronym, define your problem. Gather all the information you need to find a way to move forward. When you have two or a bunch of alternatives, begin narrowing them down. Take action on your alternative of choice. Review the decision. Take responsibility for your decision – right or wrong. Take responsibility for making the decision and in acting on the decision. Keep on track. If wrong, start again with the new information you have now gained.

Here are some questions to assist you in WRAPP-ing up your goals.

• What are you willing to do?
• What do you want to do?
• Are you ready right now?
• What do you need to become ready?
• What risks will you take to achieve your goal?
• What abilities do you have (or need to learn) to accomplish your goal?
• What assets do you have (or need to obtain) to accomplish your goal?
• What are the possibilities that are available to you or that you see to accomplish this goal. Let’s say you want to be a teacher. Both public school and various private schools are possibilities for you to teach.
• Can you predict what the outcome of different paths will be for you?
• What is the probability of this working out for you in the way you have imagined?

Let’s expand the teaching scenario for Pat.

• Pat is willing to teach high school. Pat enjoys kids, so she can say she wants to do it. However, Pat is not ready to teach.
• Pat is ready to go to school and get the teaching credential. During her information gathering, she found out that her BS degree (biology) plus one year more of a full-time class-load will get her a teaching credential. She is willing to take the risk of going back to school full-time and live on the one paycheck her spouse brings home. Is Pat’s spouse on board with her goals and the risk?
• Pat has the ability to accomplish her goal. She feels she has the assets (some savings, unemployment insurance and a student loan) to accomplish her goal.
• Is the only possibility to go back to school for a credential? She could take the C-Best test and become a substitute teacher in biology or general education. She could sub while going back to school. A private school uses only C-Best teachers, but the pay very low there.
• Can Pat predict the out come of both paths? Going back to school full time seems to be easier with the two children and her husband to care for at the same time. Substitute teaching looks like a bigger risk (no unemployment and unknown how often she’ll be called to teach).
• What is the best probable outcome for her? Pat decides to go to school full-time. Since no one at the school district knows her, she feels she won’t be called often enough. Pat decides to contact several schools to network. She thinks this will also provide useful information as she prepares for her new future.

Whether you WRAPP up your goals or make them SMART, here are two techniques for you to use. Two more tools for your toolbox. Both methods will help you make better and more informed decisions.

If you make a mistake – it is OK. You did the best you could, with what you knew at the time. That is how you learn. When you first started to walk, you made many mistakes. You fell all the time. It was OK. It was expected. You lived through it. I’m sure Mom or Dad have cute stories about it too. The important part is that you kept trying until you were successful.

It isn’t the mistake; it is what you do afterwards that counts. If the mistake makes you curl up in a ball and not try again – that is wrong. If it makes you want to try again – that is right. Examine your mistakes, decide what you need to learn from them, let them go and move onwards and upwards. People who don’t make mistakes don’t do things. You are doing and trying. All good.

This Week’s Coaching

Set some goals. Use one method for some, and the other for the rest. Let me know which method appeals to you. Which method will you actually use? Which method worked best for you?

All things are possible,

Elisabeth

Elisabeth Adler-Lund

Executive and Life Coaching
Telephone: 916 • 803•1494
E-mail: eal@EALCoaching.com