should always
“Aim High.”
Somewhere along the line you heard one or more variations:
Aim High
Reach For the Stars
Think Big
Go Big or Go Home
The message was always the same: go for more than you are going for right now and don’t underestimate yourself.
Throughout your life you have run into some roadblocks and challenges. Some challenges you overcame, others you went around, and a few you chose to simply ignore.
These experiences may have made you wary of taking on your next Great Adventure. This is where the problem begins.
Most people tend to underestimate their true potential, and they “settle” for less than they could be. This WILL have huge negative impacts on your ability to achieve the results you desire.
SMART GOALS to the Rescue . . . OR NOT!
Most organizations, managers, and coaches, promote the use of SMART goals as a way to help ensure you meet your objectives and achieve success.
I am going to suggest that SMART Goals implemented in their typical fashion may be preventing you from becoming your BEST.
SMART Goals are described as:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Timely
I agree that goals should be as Specific as possible and it is important you can Measure your progress and success.
The issue is with Achievable and Realistic.
What does Achievable and Realistic mean?
For some reason, most people have adopted the position of setting Achievable and Realistic at some mediocre level that anyone could achieve and not risk the disappointment of failure.
Do you want to be Mediocre?
or
Do you want to be THE BEST?
TOP Performers talk about Stretch Goals, Setting the Bar Higher, and Exceeding Expectations.
Even here, most tend to limit themselves since Exceeding Expectations is often based on the NORM, not what is truly possible.
When you want to be THE BEST, try setting :
SMASH GOALS
Expand your objectives beyond SMART Goals with a different framework:
It may not roll off your tongue as easily as SMART but consider the following:
SM – Specific and Measurable remain as important as ever. You must be able to clearly articulate where you are going, what it means, and how you are going to measure your progression towards your ultimate goal.
A – Apex—Forget about setting a goal that is merely achievable, set a goal that will take you to the APEX of your career or at a minimum move you a significant distance towards that goal.
Look at the Best of the Best and set your goals at or beyond what they have achieved. It’s not going to be easy, but if someone else has done it there is NO REASON you can’t.
S – Strategic—Everything you do should be strategic. Your goals should be stated in a strategic fashion and serve a definite and distinct strategic purpose in your personal and professional development.
H – Hurdles—A properly defined SMASH Goal will include key hurdles that stand between you and the desired end result.
By identifying the hurdles, your mind will automatically start developing plans to overcome those hurdles. You have a goal, something stands in the way and your brain can’t stand it . . . . it will find a way . . . always!!!
I know there are some who are going to argue that using SMASH
Goals may set you up for failure and disappointment, so let’s refer back to the message your mother tried to instill:
Aim High and Think Big
There is no reason to settle for anything less than YOUR BEST. Set your SMASH Goals and never stop your quest for the Apex of YOUR CAREER.
Setting your SMASH Goals
Depending on your work environment your SMASH Goals can be determined based on a variety of different objectives and levels. For example:
In a corporate environment:
