It’s interesting to observe how S.M.A.R.T goal setting has been a popular approach for individuals and organisations. I myself was one of them. Until I began to synthesize my knowledge and experience in goal setting and personal development did I realise S.M.A.R.T goal setting isn’t so smart.
Here’s why.
S.M.A.R.T goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-based. No doubt you have a good chance of achieving your goals when you take this approach. But achieving alone won’t necessarily make you feel successful and happy though you may be seen as such, which is the ultimate life purpose. After all, it doesn’t matter much how people see you but how you feel about yourself.
S.M.A.R.T goal setting approach isn’t that smart because it fails to take in consideration the underlying purpose for goal setting, that is, to feel proud of who you are, what you do and achieve.
To attain this feeling, you need four ingredients: wisdom, spirituality, relationship and health (mental and physical). To feel genuinely motivated and inspired? The ingredients are autonomy, mastery and purpose, according to DRiVE by Daniel R. Pink.
Next time when you set goals, go beyond S.M.A.R.T. should your they satisfy your underlying life purpose.
