Goals aren't the same as resolutions

The beginning of each year brings many people into the mode of creating New Year’s resolutions. But I've been thinking about resolutions lately and realized that I haven't made one in years. I never stick to them. They are usually 'broken' before January 31 anyway. That doesn't happen to goals nearly as often.

These thoughts were whirling through my head as I worked on our marketing calendar for 2009. In my opinion, there is a big difference between goals and resolutions. Resolutions are just statements about what I want to happen or plan to do. Goals, on the other hand, are written down, have an action assigned to each items with a deadline of when the goal is to have been met. Goals are easier to achieve because you are holding yourself accountable. When a goal is set using the SMART principle, there is a high probability that it will be reached. SMART stands for the 5 components of a goal and how it should be determined

S is for specific. A vague “I want to be wealthy” is not a good goal. What does wealthy look like? A certain dollar amount in your savings account? No debt? A percentage of all income going into an investment account?

M stands for measurable. If there is no way to measure a goal, how can you know if you’re making progress or achieved what you set out to achieve?

Attainable is the 3rd component. A belief in yourself is the key. This includes skills and your attitude about life and about whether you are able to make it happen. Once you believe in yourself, you’ll be able to achieve.

Realistic is the next step in formulating a good, concrete goal. Do you believe that no matter how much you work towards it that you’ll be the next person on the moon? But, no, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t reach for something a little out of your current grasp. Attainable is the precursor to realistic, because if you truly believe it can be achieved, you’ll establish a realistic goal.

T if the final of the 5 guidelines for creating a goal, and that is for timely. Without a deadline, or incremental deadlines to reach the goal, you will not have a focus to get there by a specific time. Back to the example about being specific about being wealthy. By what date do you want to be out of debt? By what date do you want to see that specific dollar amount in your savings account?

A SMART goal is one that will be easier to reach because you applied a systematic process to deciding what to do. Each of the five components has a reason and purpose when determining what you want to do and why.

Resolutions normally are a thought or desire that people resolve to do. A frequently stated resolution is to lose weight. This resolution is vague, with no action attached. A goal, on the other hand, would state the SPECIFIC action – walk 3 miles a day, join a health club, hire a fitness coach. The number of pounds you will lose is MEASURABLE. Do you believe you can do it? If you stated 200 pounds, maybe not. But 20? 30? 50? These are most likely ATTAINABLE. Once you agree that number of pounds is attainable, you will believe they are REALISTIC, too. And by what date do you want to lose this weight? TIMELY is important. But with it comes to something like weight loss, give yourself incremental goals. Maybe 5 pounds a month, for example. Then if you chose to lose 50 pounds by December 31 (remember to be that specific), you can see that your incremental goals will allow you to work towards the ultimate goal.

Be SMART and you'll be successful when establishing goals.

Cindy Hartman is President of Hartman Inventory LLC, a woman-owned business that provides business and home inventory services. She and her husband Mike also own Hartman Inventory Systems LLC, a company that provides a complete turnkey inventory business package for those who want to establish their own inventory company. Cindy is VP of Rainmakers Marketing Group and enjoys writing and speaking on her industry, networking and small business.