I wrote a to-do list on Monday. It was ten points, with a deadline of the following Monday. It’s Sunday, and I’ve sort of achieved one item on the list. Okay, maybe two. That’s a success rate of (sort of) 20%. I just realised I achieved a third item. That’s 30%. I feel a bit better now.
Historically, my to-do lists remain undone. Mostly because I forget to look at them. This time around, I decided to put the list somewhere I would see it daily. While that didn’t help my success rate, it did ensure I was continuously aware of the goals I wanted to achieve.
According to people more proactive than I am, SMART goals are the way out of the fog. This system is designed to make goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
How SMART Goals Transform Your To-Do List
- Specific:
- My first goal was to finish Module 1 and start Module 2
- A specific goal would be to finish Module 1 by Wednesday (being that I have to finish that before moving onto the next one!)
- Measurable:
- Did I finish Module 1 by Wednesday?
- It helps to track goals so you can see where you are.
- Achievable:
- Set realistic goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- I started the year wanting to read 52 books! My goal was to try and finish one by the end of my deadline – and I did!
- Relevant:
- The goals set have to count for something. Even if it’s trivial or based on a hobby, it should have a positive impact on your life.
- Time-bound:
- Deadlines are annoying, but without them, what would we get done?
- Some people work better when they have a deadline to aim for.
- They should be realistic, though. To go back to my list, a week was about right for me to start preparing to do those tasks, but most likely, I need another week to complete them.
- Feel free to give yourself more time than you think you need, but don’t overdo it.
So, next time you’re struggling to get your tasks done, make a SMART list! With practice, you will be able to see some progress.
Further reading:
Purplexed Science 
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