One question we always need to ask ourselves in goal setting is “Can I actually do it?” Is it attainable? Attainable is the “A” in the SMART-EST goal-setting framework. If you are the eternal optimist, you are thinking “Well of course I can!” For the rest of us, there may be doubts about whether we can achieve our goals!
There is a well-known phrase attributed to Henry Ford: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t – either way, you’re right!” While this phrase is often true, let’s look a little deeper into whether our goals are attainable.
First, we all have our own internal “bar” of what we can achieve based on our previous goal attainments. If you are new to goal setting your track record of goal achievement may be limited. In that case, start out fresh with smaller, bite-size goals that you feel somewhat confident you can reach. On the other hand, if you are a seasoned goal-setter with a track record of hitting big goals, then go ahead and shoot for the moon!
Second, be realistic about your abilities. Let’s say you want to hike a fourteener in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. If you live at sea level and your idea of exercise is a lap or two around the mall, then this is not a realistic goal in the short term. Set a series of smaller goals to work up to this. First set a daily walking or exercise goal, then once you are consistently walking/exercising set a hiking goal of several miles at a lower altitude. Eventually, work up to the goal of hiking to 14,000 feet! Those who have hiked fourteeners can attest that even if you are in great hiking shape, this goal is not easy, but it is attainable.
Third, consider how much control or influence you have toward meeting the goal. Typically, if you are in a front-line or individual contributor role you have more control over the daily actions needed to achieve your goals. If you are a middle manager or director you have less direct control but more influence in encouraging your team’s participation in goal-oriented actions. If you are an executive or business owner, you have lots of influence but a low amount of direct control over the daily activities of your front-line staff. If you do NOT have a high level of either direct control or influence to achieve a goal, then find a better goal!
As a final tip, make sure you set goals that challenge you in some way. You want goals that are achievable but not guaranteed; goals that push you to grow, not make you yawn!
Need some help working on your goals? Check out our Master Class Courses page for our goal-setting courses starting on January 17th!
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