What Does The A Stand For In SMART Goals (The Achievable Goals)

Have you ever found yourself in a mid-day dream, sketching life’s grand plan in your mini bullet journal, and then, BAM! – “What does the A stand for in SMART?”

(Oh, trust me, I’ve been there)

When I tripped into the SMART universe in my dazzling thirties, I was all, “S-M-R-T… and then, A?”

Getting the 411 on that ‘A’? well, life became a disco.

Now, what really is that ‘A’ in SMART? It’s the confetti at your life party. It’s the dazzle, the gusto, the “yeah, I’m on it” vibe in your goals.

I’m talking about dreams with rhythm, aspirations that aren’t just floating up there but doing the cha-cha on the dance floor of reality.

And oh, if you’re vibing with this ‘A’ revelation, hold onto your fantastic bullet journal supplies because you’re about to dive even deeper.

Up next? A zoom-in on that enigmatic ‘A’, its superstar role in goals, and some glitzy tips to make it shine even brighter in your life.

Let’s roll out the glittery red carpet and take this adventure further, shall we? 

Zooming into the ‘A’

A happy girl sitting on a couch in front of the laptop

Girl (or guy, or however you shine), when I first tried to decipher the mystery of the ‘A’ in SMART, I felt like I was unlocking a secret level in a video game.

But, guess what? It’s way more exciting than any virtual quest.

What’s The general meaning of A?

Now, if you’re like me and thought ‘A’ stood for “Absolutely fabulous” (because, why not?), you’re in for a tiny surprise.

Drumroll, please 🥁… It stands for Achievable!

It’s that gentle nudge reminding you that, while reaching for the stars is great, your goals should also be, you know, doable.

Personally, I’ve had dreams of becoming a unicorn-riding, world-touring, ice cream connoisseur.

But thanks to the trusty ‘A’, I’ve toned it down to starting a unicorn-themed marshmallow pop blog.

(Still dreamy, but a tad more achievable)

And there you have it, the magic and might of the letter ‘A’.

From keeping your aspiration grounded to adding that pinch of zest to your cotton candy lemonade dreams, it’s the unsung hero of your goal-setting anthem.

Importance of ‘A’ in the Process

Here’s the thing: while dreaming big is your jam.

Making sure those dreams are achievable is the key to turning them into reality.

The ‘A’ is like the BFF who tells you, “Yes, girl, chase that dream, but maybe let’s break it down a bit first?”

It’s all about ensuring you’re not just floating on cloud nine but actually mapping out a path to get to your own version of goal-setting paradise.

Good and Bad Examples of Achievable Goals

A man painting an arrow to the center of the goal

Think about it. Have you ever set a New Year’s resolution to hit the gym every day, only to find your motivation waning by January 15th? (Been there, ditched that)

By keeping it achievable—like, say, aiming for a fun Zumba class twice a week—you’re way more likely to keep grooving all year long.

Or swapping: “I’ll become a master chef overnight.”

With: “I’ll try out a new family meal prep recipe every weekend and share the results with friends,” this is definitely much better.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

A man standing in the middle of the trap
  • Setting Overly Ambitious Goals – Everyone loves ambition, but there’s a fine line between challenging yourself and setting up for a letdown.

    (Keep it real, and adjust as you go)

  • Not Reviewing and Adjusting – As the seasons change, so do your priorities.
    Every few months, take a moment to see if those goals still fit snugly in your life.

  • Not Celebrating the Small Wins – Every step, no matter how small, is progress.

    Did you manage one new chicken meal prep recipe this month instead of four? Well, that’s still a win. Celebrate and keep pushing forward.
  • Over-Committing: I get it, enthusiasm is infectious. But trying to do everything at once?

    My dear friend, that’s the recipe for burnout. (balance is the key)

  • Ignoring the Feedback: Constructive criticism isn’t a party pooper; it’s a guiding star.

    If multiple folks are pointing out the same thing, maybe it’s time for a tiny pivot.

  • Being Too Rigid: Your goals aren’t written in stone. (life happens)

    If you need to adjust, do so without guilt. Remember, it’s about the journey as much as the destination.

Now, with these sparkling insights, you’re not just setting goals; you’re crafting masterpieces.

Practical Tips for Applying ‘A’ in Your Goal Setting

Ever found yourself in a whirlwind of dreams, but they felt just a smidge out of reach? (Yep, we’ve all been there)

So, let’s talk about how to infuse your lofty dreams with a dash of ‘A’ (that’s achievable for newcomers) to make them pop.

A step-by-step guide to incorporating ‘A’

"Start small think big act fast" written on different wood blocks
  • Dream Big, But Start Small: Imagine you want to throw the most fabulous unicorn-themed party of the decade.

    Sure, that’s the dream. But begin with choosing a date and theme.

    (Bite-sized steps, always remember that)

  • Be Real with Yourself: Check in with your heart and brain.

    Does this goal feel right? Does it make you giddy with excitement but also a touch nervous? That’s the sweet spot.

  • Chat with Your Friends: Sometimes, a little chit-chat with your peeps can offer a fresh perspective.

    They might see achievable angles you haven’t noticed.

  • Break It Down: If your goal is to rock a marathon, start with a daily jog.

    Gradually increase your distance, and write it down in your bullet journal for exercise.

    Always try to check on it and then celebrate every milestone, even if it’s just a mile more.

  • Review and Revise: Set aside some “me-time” every month.

    Check on your goals. Are they still feeling achievable? Need some tweaks?
    That’s totally okay. Adjust and march on.

And there you have it.

With these sassy yet savvy pointers, the ‘A’ in your SMART goals won’t just be a letter; it’ll be a glittering compass pointing you to achievable avenues.

What a rollercoaster of realization and reinvention you’ve been on.

Let’s face it, in the grand carnival of life, it’s easy to be mesmerized by the glitz and glam of big dreams.

And while there’s nothing wrong with dreaming bigger than the sky, sprinkling a bit of that achievable glitter can illuminate your path like a star-studded runway.

Dreams? They’re the heartbeats of your aspirations, the rhythm to which you dance.
But to make those dreams your everyday jam, you will need the ‘A’.

Achievable goals are like the trusty spotlight operators, ensuring you’re always in the limelight, and that you never miss a step.

Life, my dear friend, is all about those magical moments when your dreams sync perfectly with reality.

(And that’s the power of making them achievable)

It’s not about downsizing your dreams, but about supercharging them with purpose, clarity, and a touch of realism.

So, instead of casting a wide net into the ocean of possibilities, you’re choosing the shiniest, most beautiful dreams and giving them wings to fly. (Isn’t it fabulous?)

Here’s to embracing the ‘A’, to ensuring your goals are not just words on your bullet journal or planner, but a confetti cannon waiting to burst.

To dreams so tangible, you can almost taste their sweetness! 

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FAQ

Why is it important to set goals?

Establishing goals gives your actions a sense of direction and meaning.

It serves as a roadmap, guiding you toward your desired outcomes and allowing you to measure progress along the way.

With clear goals, you can focus your efforts, overcome challenges, stay motivated, and ultimately achieve what you set out to do.

In essence, goals give your aspirations structure and clarity, turning dreams into actionable steps.

How do you write a SMART goal?

Writing a SMART goal involves ensuring it adheres to five key criteria:

  • Specific: Precisely articulate your desired achievements.

  • Measurable: Determine how you’ll measure progress and know when the goal has been achieved.

  • Achievable: Ensure the goal is realistic, considering resources and constraints.

  • Relevant: Align the goal with broader objectives and ensure it’s worthwhile.

  • Time-bound: Establish a specific timeframe for achieving the goal.

For instance, rather than expressing a vague intention like “I aim to reduce weight”.

A SMART goal would be “I plan to shed 10 pounds over the next 3 months through a combination of diet and physical activity.”

Who created SMART goals?

The SMART criteria for goal setting were first introduced by George T. Doran in a 1981 paper titled “There’s a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management’s goals and objectives.”

It was published in the Management Review journal.

Over time, the SMART framework has been widely adopted and refined by various professionals and institutions.

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