Litti's life advice: SMART through life
Never miss the target again
Often we set out to do something and in the end, we only implement it half-heartedly or not at all. It is precisely this phenomenon that is particularly common on New Year's Day. The famous New Year's resolutions, which were supposed to turn life around and offer new opportunities, unfortunately, fall by the wayside far too often over the year.
In professional sport you always have to stay on the ball, push through and continue to optimize yourself. As a coach, I have always formulated common goals with my players in a very specific way: using the so-called SMART method. I still like to use these in my everyday life.
Wording it cleverly is half the battle
I have learned in the past that the goals I set for myself must be clearly defined and formulated. A good example is the resolution: “I want to read more.” This is worded so vaguely. The chance of consistent implementation and ultimately achieving the goal is almost zero.
This principle consists of various components:
S = specific/simple
Goals must be formulated specifically but also kept simple.
M = measurable
What criteria must be met for the goal to be achieved? What needs to be documented to monitor success? In what form does this make sense?
A = attractive
If you don't want to achieve a goal, you won't be able to achieve it. Therefore, the destination must be designed to be attractive. It shouldn't be too difficult, but still challenging. The focus should be on real benefits for one's own life and compatibility with one's own values.
R = realistic
Even if you firmly believe in yourself, you won't achieve every goal. You know your resources, you know your capabilities. Build a realistic goal around that.
T = terminated
When should the goal be achieved? Are there intermediate goals that can be defined in time? Plan with exact times so that you have the goal within reach.
An example of the application
My goal this year is to allow myself to relax more by reading interesting books. In SMART terms this would mean:
I will read an exciting book every month until the end of 2024 and always mark the book title in my calendar on the 1st of each month.
My goal is so simple but specific, measurable, and attractive as well as realistic and time-defined.
Relaxation, important tasks, challenges – with SMART you can create space for everything in your life
Everyone has wishes and goals. I have noticed that the SMART method helps me significantly in my job as well as in my everyday and social life. Every now and then I like to write my goals on a post-it note and stick it so that I can see it every day. The bathroom mirror is ideal for this.
Intermediate goals in particular always motivate me anew, because the small stages show me the big goal again and again, but without the pressure of having to achieve it as a whole all at once.
Try the SMART method and discover how your projects become tangible!