By KathyGates, RealLifeCoach
ISMART goals have been around a long time, and
you'll probably see the acronym used in several
different ways. I've always found that it's a good
way to help remember what you're trying to
accomplish, so try the SMART system to ease your
holiday stress.
S - Specific: Make your goals for the holidays as
specific as possible. How much money do you want
to spend on gifts? Do you want to volunteer some
time this year? What are you tired of doing and
would rather delegate? Be sure to tell those who need
to know of the specifics of your goals. Don't say "I
want to spend less money this year", instead decide
*exactly* what that means. "I want to spend a total
of $xxx on gifts, with $xxx for immediate family,
$xxx for .". You get the idea.
M - Motivational: What motive is behind your
holiday work? Is it purely an expectation, or is it a
time that you look forward to each year? Do you feel
good about what happens during the holidays, do you
get a sense of satisfaction? If not, look for what
would make you feel good, and try to create a balance
between what others expect of you and what's really
important to you.
A - Achievable: Look for what's achievable. What
can you realistically expect to accomplish? If money
is tight this year, it's not realistic to go the cash route.
If relationships are strained, it's not realistic to think
that the holidays will heal all wounds. Don't try to
overdo, and don't try to make things into something
that isn't really there.
R -- Real To Me: Look for the real meaning of the
holidays to you. The media hype tends to make us
think that unless we have the perfect Norman
Rockwell setting, with the perfect Brady Bunch
family, we've failed. But it's about what's real to
you. It may be religious, or it may not be. It may
mean family and friendships, or it may mean vacation
time for skiing in the mountains. Each person has
their own interpretation of what the holidays mean to
them. Be true to yours.
T - Trackable: All goals, even short term holiday
ones, need to be trackable. You will need to record
your success, and give yourself some credit instead of
letting the nay-sayer in your head take control. Focus
in on what you have done, not all that's left to be
done. And give yourself some congratulations on a
regular basis for doing the boring, everyday things
(like making the bed, or cleaning the oven).
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Professional Life Coach Kathy Gates helps people
who are burned out, stressed out, and fed up to get
back in touch with the foundations of their life. www.reallifecoach.com
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