A Life Coach's Approach to Setting Effective SMART Goals with Dean Page – Part 4
Setting effective goals isn’t just about being specific or measurable, it’s about making them trackable. In this fourth part of Dean Page’s life coaching series on S.M.A.R.T. goals, discover why monitoring progress is the key to lasting success, how the right tracking method prevents failure, and practical coaching insights to keep you on course toward your dreams.
S.M.A.R.T. goals – trackable
The importance of staying on track
J. Howes is quoted as saying, “Aim at the sun, and you may not reach it, but your arrow will fly far higher than if aimed at an object on a level with yourself.” Aldous Huxley added, “Every ceiling, when reached, becomes a floor upon which one walks as a matter of course and prescriptive right.” Bill Copeland made the simple yet poignant statement, “The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score,” and the ever-quoted Napoleon Hill taught, “A goal is a dream with a deadline.”
At first glance, one might think that we have already covered this in measurable terms, but it is different. Trackable is the way to monitor progression towards the desired measure. Trackable gives you the ability to see and make adjustments to your goal of having a 4.0 GPA during the semester, rather than waiting until finals to see if you achieved it. Trackable can be very individual and needs to be set up in a manner that works for the person.
I had a client whose goal was to lose weight. When I asked her, “What does that look like?”, she proceeded to explain it in very kinetic terms. Phrases like “my clothes feel looser” and “I’ll feel like I’m in shape” were her responses. When I asked about specific instances of previous successful accomplishments of goals, it was discovered that she is a numbers person, meaning other goals were achieved by knowing the exact number, how much was needed each day, month, and year. I’m sure you can see the setup for failure. She wanted to use a kinetic tracking system to measure the progression of her goals when she was, in reality, a numbers person. This is why so many previous attempts at dieting had failed. In the end, we worked together to set up her goals and tracking method in a numbers-based format that is working for her.
Although trackable is listed last, it is not because it is of the least importance. One would never imagine a professional sports game being played without a constantly updated scoreboard. The accuracy of the scoreboard lets you know if you are on track, behind, and how much time is left. If that is important in a game, how much more important is it in life!
Some examples of life coach questions are, “What are ways in the past that you successfully tracked the progression of a goal?”, “How can you keep track of the progress?”, and “If someone were to keep track of it, how would you explain it to them so that they could do it?”
The difference between dumb goals and smart goals.
Whenever I ask about the importance of setting SMART goals, I can imagine someone saying that it is better than setting DUMB goals. Funny, perhaps, and yet people set dumb goals all the time. What is my definition of a dumb goal? A dumb goal sets you up for failure rather than success. The SMART goals template is a tool that can help you set yourself up for success.
Call to action
If you would like help in setting your SMART goals or have a specific category that you are struggling with, please set up an appointment with me through here. I would love the opportunity to work with you!
I help clients get perspective, reach their goals, and change their world. Maybe you could be next!
Dean Page, Certified Life Coach
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