2020 is going to be amazing. I’ve got grand plans, and I can’t wait to see them materialize. To make this happen, physically writing out goals is a necessary evil. It’s one of those things that seems like it takes more time than it’s worth, but without a direction, you’re wandering, lost in the ether. Yes, you get some things done here and there and you have general direction. Like Ulysses, you’ll eventually get there, but jeez Louise, there’s a shorter path in if you stay on track.
And there’s no better way to keep track of where you’re going than a good set of directions, i.e. your written goals. One thing I didn’t know early on is that there are ways to polish your goals a little. Take them from the back of napkin to something you can sink your teeth into. There are different… systems I guess you’d say.
SMART is a goal-writing system that will supercharge your year.
This is a framework I learned from Michael Hyatt, who used to be the publisher at Thomas Nelson publishing, the largest Christian publisher in the world at the time, I do believe.
Here’s the super-short version of the S.M.A.R.T. goals system:
Specific: Your goals should be very clear. The clearer, the better. In fact, according to Dr. Maxwell Maltz, the clearer you can create the goals in your mind, the more likely you are to reach them. Who will be involved? What will you need? What exactly are you going to accomplish?
Measurable: How do you know when you’ve achieved your goal? Sometimes goals can be a little vague and wishy-washy. Be specific with something you can measure and celebrate when you cross the finish line (Then e-mail me so I can celebrate with you)!!
Attainable: Write out the steps to get there. Like Rocky, starting from his first run from his apartment, all the way to going the distance with Apollo Creed. What are the steps? How are you going to get there?
Realistic: You want to make sure this is something you can do, or at least have a chance at. Some goals can be audacious and out of reach (you’d be surprised how many of those you actually can hit), but be sure your ego doesn’t get smashed on the rocks in February when everything is pie in the sky.
Timely: There has to be a deadline. Nothing makes things happen like a due date.
If your goals and plans for an AMAZING 2020 aren’t in place yet, no worries. It’s not like the starting gun fired on January 1st, and that’s it. No sir; get to work now. Start planning for February 1st. No reason you can’t pick your own start time.
If one of your goals is to pass an EOR or the PANCE, then under the “what you will need” section, add “Get a copy of The Final Step.” You can write that one down and then cross it right off. Man, that feels good. Creating positive momentum.
www.physicianassistantexamreview.com/thefinalstep/…
Brian Wallace