Be SMART, or how to achieve life goals

What should you keep in mind before you start planning?

First of all, you cannot plan life 100%, because we live in many ecosystems—personal, professional, and social—where we are subject to influences and processes that we cannot always control. Therefore, our life is a dynamic journey full of adventures, unplanned events, and encounters. It is worth accepting that while you have an impact on the shape of your life, you should also leave room for variables and the unexpected.

Second, as we navigate the dynamic path of life, our goals may undergo changes and modifications. These are sometimes necessary to achieve the desired result or to change direction entirely because we have learned something new and want something different.

Third, and perhaps most importantly, the goal-setting process is for you, so both the starting point and the destination are within you. And that is where the real adventure begins.

What are the types of goals?

Let's establish at the beginning - for what reason do I want to set life goals? What is the intention behind it? Is it an ingrained belief that you need to have such aspirations because it makes life easier, because an adult is supposed to set goals, or because it looks better in the eyes of others?

Or perhaps I want to set life goals because I have a desire to achieve something, I want to accomplish something, or I want to live according to my own needs and principles?

According to Tara Mohr, author of the book "Playing Big," there are two types of goals:

• gift-goal - stems from knowing yourself, your potential, talents, desires, and dreams; it is linked to your mission and the roles you play in life;
• should-goal - is the result of upbringing and socialization, which impose certain ways of living or functioning.

The more we are driven by external motives, the weaker our motivation will be, requiring constant reinforcement.

The role of imagination and assessing your potential in planning

Another thing worth doing in the goal-setting process is imagine how I will feel once I achieve this goal. In other words, I briefly transport myself to the moment when the goal is achieved and I feel… – and this is where it is worth writing it down. Emotions have an incredible power that allows the body and mind to feel what it will be like, which prepares them to take action toward that very goal.

We are still in the realm of self-awareness, because to achieve a given goal, we also need to define all the resources at our disposal – including our traits, skills, talents, achievements, and knowledge, as well as external resources such as contacts, people, or groups that can provide support and that are worth reaching out to, especially when we get stuck or lose motivation.

It will be easier for us to pursue a goal if the path we plan is integrated into our daily lives. This means we should create as few additional, burdensome activities or tasks as possible that would disrupt our routine. According to James Clear, author of the book "Atomic Habits," goals must first and foremost be clear and simple, and the actions leading to them should be linked to things we enjoy doing and to people who think, act, or share a similar value system.

Very often, on the way to achieving our goals, we place a lot of hope in our self-discipline, which is not governed by any specific center in our brain, making it quite difficult to cultivate. Furthermore, self-discipline by definition does not encourage action. "Self" means we are left to our own devices. "Discipline," on the other hand, often has negative connotations, associated with regimes and tension.

It is easier to reach a goal together

That is why an essential part of pursuing your goals is a support network, which means identifying:

• Who will be the person I can discuss my progress with?
• Who will serve as an inspiration for me? Who has achieved this goal and found success? When things get tough and my motivation drops, the image or story of that person will remind me that it is worth continuing on this path.
• What other sources can I turn to when things get difficult? Perhaps a support group or an association?

It is almost certain that difficulties will arise while pursuing my plans, which is why during the planning process it is worth reaching for a higher purpose – that is, reminding yourself why you actually want to achieve this specific thing. Mission, vision, values, feelings, and a sense of impact are the areas that matter most when setting and achieving long-term goals.

What should you do when you start to doubt your goals?

When we get stuck, or when we lack the strength or desire to continue, we usually push ourselves to keep going, which often leads to exhaustion and even greater discouragement. Instead, it is worth tapping into your curiosity and asking yourself a few check-in questions, e.g.:

• what happened that I don't have the energy right now?
• what might this temporary break mean?
• for what reason do I need to stop?

Stalls don't happen for no reason. Sometimes we get carried away with action and forget to appreciate our achievements so far. Other times, we stray from our path, moving away from our goal, and a drop in energy is necessary to stop and check if we are still on the right track and if we have the right resources for it.

Another important technique is the so-called zoom out, which means looking from a greater distance. What does this provide when achieving goals? Above all, perspective on how much we have already accomplished, because we are often so involved in the "here and now" that we fail to see the bigger picture of our achievements. This is also a moment when we can thank ourselves for the work done so far, feel satisfaction for how far we have come on this journey, and potentially adjust our course.

There are many techniques and ways to achieve your goals. The most important thing is to define them in alignment with your desires—with what is close and important to you. If something stirs your heart, sparks emotion, and drives you to act, it is worth pursuing. It is perfectly natural to have moments along the way where you need to adjust your goals or revise your direction. After all, we learn through experience and draw conclusions as we go. We are part of a larger system that influences us, and our own needs evolve throughout our lives. That is why it is valuable to seek support on your journey, while also allowing room for the new and unknown, as well as for modifications and flexibility.