Be SMART When Setting Your Goals!

This weekend, I was out crafting with friends and I overheard someone state after recently signing up with Stampin' Up: "It was such a great deal.  I wanted the stuff and I'll be happy if we just get together sometime."  Next she said, "I really need to make some money." What?  Her statements contradicted one another.  She basically, said I don't want to make any money from this, just hang out with the 3 of you...but I really need to make some money.  I wanted to jump in and say...well which one is it?  I want to build a successful business and earn an income or I just want to stamp with friends????  

If you know anything about me, then you know that I believe that words, thoughts and actions need to be in line, to get the results you plan to achieve.   You also know that I believe in the SMART Method for achieving goals.  I used it for my weight loss, for education and for business.  I share it here again because many of you are just getting started and perhaps you need to put a bit of thought in front of your efforts, to be sure those efforts lead toward your goal. 

Perhaps you want to sell at a craft fair, create more cards or new items to sell, earn a certain amount of money, become an instructor, build an online store, teach more classes, build a kit club.  Whatever it is, define it and be specific and know why you want to achieve the goal.

Goals have many different levels. First create your "big picture" goal. Second, break this down into smaller and smaller targets that you must hit so that you reach your “Big Picture” goal. Finally, once you have your plan, start working to achieve it.

The SMART METHOD for achieving goals.

I encourage you to write down the goals you want to reach. Evaluate your goals and make changes, as necessary to fit the SMART Goals Criteria below: 

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely

Specific

Specific is the what, why, and how of the SMART method.

WHAT are you going to do? WHY is this important to do at this time? What do you want to ultimately accomplish? HOW are you going to do it?

Be sure the goals you set are very specific, clear and easy. Instead of setting a goal to start a scrapbooking business, set a specific goal to start a card making business or become an international altered art instructor. 

Measurable

If you can't measure it, you can't manage it.

Choose a goal with measurable progress, so you can see the change occur. How will you see when you reach your goal? Be specific! "I want to sell 50 cards at my first craft fair by May 1, 2013,” is a specific target to be measured. "I want to sell cards this year” or “I want to attend a craft fair" is not as measurable.  With measurement you are able to celebrate your achievements!  Because selling 2 cards is some.  Be clear.

Attainable

Goals you set which are too far out of your reach, you probably won't commit to doing. Although you may start with the best of intentions, the knowledge that it's too much for you means subconsciously you will always be reminded of this fact and it will stop you from even giving it your best.

If you aim to create 500 scrapbooks for others this year, we all know that probably isn't achievable.  But setting a goal to create 1 to 2 books each month is attainable and when you've achieved that goal, you’ll celebrate.  

Realistic

Come up with a plan which makes the goal realistic. The goal needs to be realistic for you and where you are at the moment.  A goal of teaching every weekend might now be realistic for you with family, work and your own life obligations.  However, a more realistic goal would be to teach 2 weekends a month and perhaps a week night or two. You can then choose to work towards creating a schedule that incorporates this.

Be sure to set goals that you can attain with some effort! Too difficult and you set the stage for failure, but too low sends the message that you aren't very capable.

Timely

Set a timeframe for the goal!  If you don't set a time, the commitment is too vague. It tends not to happen because you feel you can start at any time. Without a time limit, there's no urgency to start taking action now.  Remember to keep your time commitment measurable, attainable and realistic!

Ready!  Set! GOALS!!!

excerpt from How to Make Money Scrapbooking by Tiare Smith. 

Tiare.