How To Get What You Want?

[krantcents]

I have been very successful in achieving almost all my goals! My success was due to using SMART goals. The acronym stands for Smart, Measurable, Attainable, Reasonable and Time frame. I used this strategy to become financially independent a long time ago at 38 years old. Have you used this strategy and were you successful? Please share your experience.

[nitemarecooper]

Never heard of SMART goals, but I'll read up on it myself. I personally have had a really hard time trying to get realistic goals in mind and make it happen. Personally, every major goal I've had in the last 10 years or so to improve my life has failed and caused me to step backwards in life. Other than pay, I feel farther behind in life than I did 10 years ago. Perhaps it can work for me too.

[snafu]

I'd not hear of the acronym but I've always had goals, imposed timelines and measured results. Weren't we all told if we didn't have a road map we'd never get to our destination? Will today's youngsters rely on GPS? I hope not since GPS has errors and has too much lag time for updates.

[Gary Barzel]

Goals are very important in order to succeed. Start off with small attainable goals and eventually you can start setting bigger goals. If you have trouble reaching goals, then try to set incentives for reaching your goal, by rewarding yourself with something meaningful.

[krantcents]

Don't give up! You can change the outcome, but you may have to take the time to figure out what is stopping your success.

[Ricky008]

Originally Posted by krantcents

I have been very successful in achieving almost all my goals! My success was due to using SMART goals. The acronym stands for Smart, Measurable, Attainable, Reasonable and Time frame. I used this strategy to become financially independent a long time ago at 38 years old. Have you used this strategy and were you successful? Please share your experience.

I have never heard anout Smart goals. will try to follow this strategy. Thanks for sharing a nice post.

[scotland]

In the world of tortoises and hares, I am a tortoise.
I do have goals, but I achieve those goals at a steady pace and put happiness before business.

[bjl584]

I've never heard of SMART, but I guess that I do something similar in that I have a budget, I stick to it, and I have different time frames to acheive certain goals.

[alphadore]

SMART is not something that will make you retire at the age 38. It is basically setting up goals that are;

specific
measurable
achievable
realistic
time bound

[DebbieL]

We use the whole "SMART" goals thing at college here. I think it is commonplace here in Canada. And the first word is "specific" NOT "smart". Specific is important. We say "timely" for the last word.

Example of a SMART goal: I will achieve an A on my biology term paper this October. (Then of course you have to do the real work of putting a plan in motion to achieve this goal).

[alphadore]

instead of reasonable, we use realistic. A goal that is reasonable may not necessarily be realistic. Or is it? I am not sure now

[Frugal]

Yes. I was able to use a similar strategy/way of thinking, and pay off a sizeable chunk of my student loan debt (still working on the rest of it, unfortunately!).

[krantcents]

Originally Posted by alphadore

SMART is not something that will make you retire at the age 38. It is basically setting up goals that are;

specific
measurable
achievable
realistic
time bound

You are right, the SMART goals gave the structure to allow me to achieve my goals.

[krantcents]

Originally Posted by DebbieL

We use the whole "SMART" goals thing at college here. I think it is commonplace here in Canada. And the first word is "specific" NOT "smart". Specific is important. We say "timely" for the last word.

Example of a SMART goal: I will achieve an A on my biology term paper this October. (Then of course you have to do the real work of putting a plan in motion to achieve this goal).

You are right, I did not catch it it when I edited it. Thanks.

[Eric80]

SMART objectives may not make you retire at 38, but it’s an objective to set your goals against and try to use it to achieve what you want to by separating your goal into the SMART heading for instance time will be by a certain date and how realistic will the goal be ect. It is a mentality to flow.

[alex499]

Originally Posted by alphadore

SMART is not something that will make you retire at the age 38. It is basically setting up goals that are;

specific
measurable
achievable
realistic
time bound

I think RISK is one more thing you forgot to include

[KiwiJo09]

That's why I like using Mint goals. I know it isn't exactly perfected. But it asks you all those questions and tells you what you're doing wrong, how to speed up your goal achievement,and when it'll be completed!

[photo]

There are various ways to achieve goals, but the most important aspect is simply to have a goal or a plan to get what you want. You've probably heard of the "marshmallow test" (I'm not sure what it was called) where children were offered the choice of receiving 1 or 2 marshmallows. The caveat was that the child had to delay gratification to get 2 marshmallows.

Receive 1 gratification now or wait and receive twice the amount later on.

The results are what you'd predict. The test was administered in the 1960s, so the children are now adults. The ones who delayed gratification had ultimately more success in life, both personally and professionally.

It's like that with money, especially for those who earn slightly higher wages. They have the means to obtain larger amounts of debt, so they can enjoy a lot more "toys" right away. But then they lose a lot of wealth by missing out on compounded interest by saving more and saving earlier. Those who don't indulge right away are much more often rewarded by having both wealth and, at the same time, their "toys," albeit at a later time.

[papa_squat]

I tend to use Stephen Covey's model for the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and I've actually had great success with it. I feel I'm doing well in all areas of my life and I'm successful for my age, education and effort. I'm always trying to raise the bar though. Finding a system that works for you is great news to hear. Keep up the good work!

[alphadore]

Originally Posted by alex499

I think RISK is one more thing you forgot to include

You mean goals that are Risky? Huh?