How can we achieve SMARTER goals?

By Shelagh Braley, COO

Conventional wisdom says in order to reach your goals, they must be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely. This process has been proven successful time and again in business. But when you want to rev up your life across the board—not just at work—creating SMART goals can get a little boring, just like work.

So how can you infuse the SMART goal method with more motivation, to put to good use in all areas of your life?

Try adding these two tips to generate SMARTER goal power.

1. Explore areas beyond your knowledge.

Are there places you don’t know about? Experiences you’ve never heard of? If you stretch your imagination, your information-gathering skills and your concept of what is possible, you might find the world is even bigger and more exciting than you thought.

This was one discovery I made on the site, quite by mistake, and it’s always been my favorite. I instantly added it to my life list. The brilliantly colored, mystical photos alone are reason enough to go. http://www.mylifelist.org/experiences/experience.aspx?ID=2616

2. Reconnect with your past successes.

Are there moments you look back on that make you feel amazing and accomplished? What did you do to make them happen? It’s likely you had a point of inspiration, support and a solid plan. But did you take enough time to share your new-found knowledge to solidify your expertise or to help someone else achieve a similar goal?

According to positive psychology studies from Harvard Medical School, happiness generates far-reaching results (even for people we do not know, through social network effects) and this becomes a major influence on our emotional stability, achievement motivation and collective knowledge.

Here’s a link to my personal profile: http://www.mylifelist.org/members/PublicProfile.aspx?PID=1320

Maybe there’s something on My Life List that will inspire you today. If you find it, be sure to celebrate that inspiration, get yourself in action and pass it on. These two little extra steps will ensure that your goals match your dreams—and help you actually achieve them.

Goals and the pursuit of happiness

By Sally Barrett-Page, M.A., M.S.W.

“I have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.” - Mark Twain

It is common for achievers to say they want more money, a great job and a perfect partner. Underlying all of these wants is really a desire to be happy. You have to train your brain for happiness. Check out these pointers:

Take responsibility for your happiness. It's a personal journey, and one that you should be driving. Determine what makes you happy, create a plan for your life and start living your dream. Pursue the things you are passionate about. Your past achievements hold the clues to your passions.

Focus on the positive. Happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, it comes from appreciating what we already have. Be grateful.

Accept yourself as you are. You are a special and unique human being with a special place and purpose in the world.

Focus on the present. You have only now to live it and enjoy it. Let go of the past by forgiving yourself and everyone else for mistakes made.

Nurture your relationships and participate in your community. People who take the time to do these things are happier.

Use social networking with purpose. Use the tools and engage the community on http://www.mylifelist.org/ to create a life list, act on your goals and celebrate your accomplishments. It will help you stay focused on your goals and make more progress.

Hire a personal life coach. Many achievers in varied fields credit the influence of a special teacher, mentor or coach for much of their success.

Sally Barrett-Page grew up in Massachusetts and has lived in Boulder, Colo., for 27 years. Her first exciting career was as a filmmaker, her second as a life coach.