Are your achievements being limited by following SMART!
This weekend I was at a Professional Speaking Annual Convention
which was a great opportunity to listen to lots of speakers and
consider a number of different points of view.
One of the things that I was reminded of was how we are taught to
use SMART to help us define our goals. I often say to people to use
it if they want, but just be aware of how it can also be very
limiting. As a reminder, here it is!
What I mean is that by deciding whether something is attainable
or not you can be limiting what is possible. Many of the great
things that have been attained in this world, people first scoffed
at! They said 'that's impossible' or 'they are living in a
dream'. Even I remember thinking many years ago 'I am not sure if
this internet thing will really take off! The truth was it wasn't
in my consciousness at the time. I didn't know enough about it to
really be making an opinion.
Which brings me to another point, often those with the strongest
viewpoints often know little about what they are commenting
on.
Fifteen years ago, the majority of people would never have
appreciated that one day you could have your entire record
collection in a hand held device. But make assumptions at your
peril. I will never forget the then Chairman of British Airways
saying that 'the biggest mistake I have ever made was to under
estimate a man who wore a woolly jumper'. He was talking about
Richard Branson.
It is very easy to fall into the category of being limited
either by the beliefs of your family, peers, industry experts and
the media. Also, making assumptions about people because they do
not conform to your view of the world. If you want to be really
successful, challenge yourself over what you think and be mindful
as to whether the views of others are valid or not. Look for truth
in everything.
As it was said by a very engaging speaker called David Hyner this
weekend, 'by following SMART you get mediocrity'. I could not agree
more.
Let's make up our own rules from now on. Let's Excel Rather Than
Be Mediocre! Are you in?
Be More. Achieve More,
Chris
If you would like to understand how you can apply the 7
Principles for High Achievement click here: How
to Be More to Achieve More