18/07/2025
SMART goals fall short for this reason.
I remember completing many planning documents, wondering what my boss would think was 'realistic', rather than what I was planning to do or aim for.
Just to save myself the trouble of having to explain my way of thinking. I knew what I was going to achieve, and I did it in ways that used to bewilder my old boss.
Setting goals using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) framework has some benefits for sure. You get really clear about your objective and what you're going to do to get there, how you'll know if you're on track within a certain time frame - it's very practical.
Where it falls flat is that what we perceive as realistic is only based on our past experiences. When it comes to aiming higher and wanting to achieve more in your life, the way you get there can't be based on what you currently know. Otherwise you'd be doing it already.
You have to go beyond that, design and create your way forward to achieve anything new that is not anchored in the past.
