SHARP Goals To Enhance Your Edge

When it comes to goal setting, most of us are pretty familiar with the acronym “S.M.A.R.T.” Goals. It is a well-known concept, and is generally effective. ?“S.M.A.R.T.” Goals are generally defined as the following:

• S - Specific – Achieving something specific.
• M - Measurable – A clear measuring stick.
• A - Attainable – Setting the bar effectively.
• R - Realistic – A goal that stretches and yet is still realistic.
• T - Time Frame – A clear time frame for completion.

There was a time in my life when I was terrible at goal-setting. Here’s why:

• Too Much, Too Soon… I’d try to tackle too many things at once, too fast…
• The “Sprint” Syndrome… ?I wouldn’t pace myself.?I would see it all as a sprint, not a marathon.
• Setting Goals Out Of Guilt, Not Personal Initiative… This is popular in self-help circles.?We hear so many “good ideas” that we try to do them all.?We set goals because it’s a good idea, and not out of a real felt need.
• No Specifics… The goal was vague and unspecific.?If you aim for nothing, you will probably hit nothing!
• No Teamwork… Here we set off to achieve our goals and do not include a team and a coach. We all need a support system to achieve our goals.??
• I Beat Myself Up When I Failed… In the process of achieving our goals, we will mess it up a few times. Don’t let a stumble be your burial.?
• Laziness – The bottom line is that you may have the loftiest goals, the highest ideals, the noblest dreams, and the purest ambitions, but remember, nothing works unless you do!??
• I Believed I Would Fail – Dale Carnegie said,?“Believe that you will succeed.?Believe it firmly, and you will then do what is necessary to bring success about”. You gotta believe in you!

Abraham Lincoln said that, "A goal properly set is halfway reached”. This tells us that there is a proper way to set goals, and an improper way. In other words, if we take the time to set our goals correctly, we will succeed! Not only do I love “S.M.A.R.T. Goals”, but I also love “S.H.A.R.P. Goals”. When we have S.H.A.R.P. Goals that are focused, we have the same increase in power that a laser beam has over a light bulb.

SHARP Goals To Enhance Your Edge:

S – Significant & Salient

Our goals need to be Significant. They need to be meaningful, momentous, and substantial. When our goal is Significant, there is a sense of mission and calling which inspires us to get it done! Does your goal inspire you? Does your goal engage your passion? Daniel Burnham said this: “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood”.?Develop goals that are dynamic, that are challenging and emotive!

And, our goals need to be Salient. Salient speaks to clear, noticeable, relevant, and obvious. Our goals need to be clear and obvious. We need to be crystal clear about what we are aiming for, and allow this clarity to guide us.?

H - Healthy & Holistic

Our goals need to be birthed in the womb of Healthy motivation. Goals which are pursued for unhealthy reasons often cause us more pain than good, and flow with negative energy, stress, manipulation and control. Healthy motivation is empowering, and flows with positive energy. It is accompanied by a spirit of peace, rest, and patient intensity.

And, our goals need to be Holistic. This means that they should complement, and, take into consideration their impact on the 7 Spans Of Life. A fully Holistic approach will facilitate and flow with the 7 Spans Of Life that make up the Wellness Wheel: Mental, Emotional, Physical, Spiritual, Relational, Professional, and Financial.

A - Accountable & Actionable

Accountability speaks to a vertical relationship. In other words, this is someone you report to on the progress of your goals. If something is important enough to us that we set a goal, it should be important enough that we invite someone in and give them permission to keep us accountable. Ultimately, the most important form of accountability is self-accountability, but early in our growth towards consistently achieving our goals, we may need to create a bridge in the form of accountability to others. Family. Friends. Partners. Co-workers.

Actionable speaks to goals that cause us to DO something. A “S.H.A.R.P. Goal” is not a concept, but a call to personal revolution. I love this from William James (1842-1910), psychologist & philosopher:

“To change one’s life:

1. Start immediately. ???2. Do it flamboyantly. ??3. No exceptions.”

R – Risk-Oriented & Results-Oriented

Take a Risk! Nothing ventured, nothing gained! The time of sitting in 100% safety and security, hoping for monumental gains, is over. Setting realistic goals is important, but not so realistic that there is no risk involved! As I have heard it said in the past: “Why not go out on a limb??Isn't that where the fruit is?”?

And, our goals need to be focused on achievable, measurable Results. Generally, when we set out to achieve any goal, we do a CBA: Cost-Benefit Analysis. We weigh the cost to achieve this goal against the benefits and results of achieving it. Thus, when we create “S.H.A.R.P. Goals” that are Results-Oriented, it helps us to create a feeling of progress, and it reinforces that we made the right decision when we set out to accomplish this goal.

P – Partnered & Persevered

Partnering speaks to a horizontal relationship. We will accomplish far more when we have partners. Every effective partnership in goal achievement consists of a team and a coach. We all need a support system to achieve our goals. Only in old Westerns do people go it alone and succeed!

And, we need to persevere. The value of simple perseverance and stick-ability cannot be overstated. By perseverance the snail reached the Ark!

Richard Gaylord Briley said, “At this very moment you are WHO you are and WHERE you are because of what you’ve allowed to inhabit your goal-box”. What’s?in your Goal-Box? “S.H.A.R.P. Goals” will enhance your edge!

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Abe Brown, MBA, CMCT, CPHSA is the Coach’s Coach, and is an Entrepreneur, Professional Speaker, International Best-Selling Author, and High-Performance Leadership Coach.?He is the Founder of Certified Flourishing Coaching?, the Flourishing Life Coaching Program?, the CEO of Wellness Innovate Corp, and the CEO of Momentum Coaching.

Abe is known as the Coach’s Coach, and for being people-first.?He is most passionate about supporting people, relationships, entrepreneurs, businesses, and non-profits to thrive.?Flourishing people produce flourishing relationships, businesses, and workplaces, along with high performance and profound positive impact.?Abe is also passionate about workplace mental health and changing the world by changing the workplace.?Along with the team at Wellness Innovate, Abe is the creator of Flourishing Workplaces?.??