We’ve all heard of SMART goals, but have you ever heard of a DUMB one?

I recently heard this comparison between SMART and DUMB goals by Brendon Burchard and thought it was brilliant! 

In case you have no idea what a SMART goal is here’s a post-it note version. Identify your goal and work it through this matrix in order to achieve it:
S – specific
M – measurable
A – attainable
R – reasonable
T – timely

Burchard pointed out that a SMART goal is nothing more than a to-do list and can even be distractions to keep us busy! This got me thinking…

How many times have we heard to plan out a goal using this SMART strategy? I don’t know about you, but I have. For the goals I did manage to achieve via this, “check the box” method, most turned out to be a less than enjoyable process and experience! 

Achieving your dreams should be inspiring, motivating and exciting!!

For most of us the pursuit to our dreams can definitely be inspiring…for awhile. We can get all hyped up and motivated…for awhile. And the excitement usually wears off shortly after the inspiring motivation. Then what? We either hit the drawing board all over again to get inspired, make a plan and dig for the motivation to pursue OR we just give up. 

Here’s where the light bulb comes on and your goals can get FUN! By learning to set DUMB goals you are more likely to not only enjoy the process, but actually make progress!

Here’s what it means to go for a DUMB goal:

D – dream driven: this has meaning to you personally and it’s a big scary goal with the potential for huge impact

U – uplifting: it should focus on what you will gain by achieving your goal and worded in a way that connects you as well as compels you

M – method friendly: create practices that make it easy for you to be consistent

B – behavior driven: coming up with triggers to keep you disciplined. Example: Every time I ________ I will __________.

I’m really excited about sharing this with you because it really is at the core of what I aspire to inspire. And I’m especially geeking out over the fact that it’s an acronym! (and slightly jealous I did not think of this myself)

Working SMARTer on my DUMB goals right there with ya,

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