Are you working endlessly; but getting nowhere? Have all your dreams eluded you? Faceless voices whisper, yes — while each new breath says, no. It’s never too late to pursue your dreams. Although, it may be time to set some new goals.

What are SMARTER goals?

Many people use the SMART criteria when developing goals. We like SMART, but we love SMARTER. SMARTER is just a different version of the acronym that includes two additional principles.

• Specific: The goal must be clearly defined.
• Measurable: There must be a benchmark established that will let you know when the objective is attained.
• Achievable: The target must be both realistic and attainable.
• Relevant: The goal must align with your current priorities. 
• Time-bound: It is important to specify a particular time frame to accomplish your objective.
• Evaluate: Take the time to assess your progress regularly. If necessary, tweak your plan along the way. 
• Review: Reassess the success or failure of pursuing the goal. When you reach your target, reward yourself! 

The benefits of thinking SMARTER

Using SMARTER criteria to set objectives can drastically change your life by encouraging you to form new habits and gain additional knowledge towards realizing your dreams.

Reaching your goals

Big dreams seem unattainable when hope is small. Reaching your highest objectives takes hard work and lots of goal-setting. A clear understanding of your target creates a roadmap to help guide your journey. Without defined goals, you pirouette through life blindly, only to end up right where you started. So what goals are you working on today?