Oh, how time flies. Just three more weeks and we’re in 2009. I don’t know about you, but this is about the time of year that I start thinking about my goals for the coming New Year. I’ve always been a big believer that having goals (and putting them in writing) makes it a lot easier to stay focused in achieving them. I’d like to take this time to encourage everyone to start thinking about what you would like to achieve in the coming year. For those that have done it before, remember to keep them S.M.A.R.T. For those that are new to this idea, read on for some tips on how to figure out your goals and be successful in achieving them:

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely

Specific – helps determine WHAT you are going to do, and HOW you can make it manageable to focus on the goal. Instead of setting a goal to “be nice”, try, “smile and say hello to at least 1 stranger per day”

Measurable – If you can’t measure what you’re trying to accomplish, you won’t know if you’re already there. Determine how you can measure your progress toward reaching your goal. If your goal is to “pay off your Macy’s credit card by the end of the year”, you can measure your progress by putting in a little bit more than the minimum on your monthly payment…it would also help if you stop using it in the meantime.

Attainable – You set up your goals because you want to achieve them. You want to be able to commit to doing what you have to in order to reach your goal. There is a sense of achievement once you reach your goal and it helps you to stay motivated. Perhaps you were shooting for reading 1 chapter of your favorite book a week. Say, by the 5th day, you finished the chapter, aim for reading another chapter…or at least a few more pages.

Realistic – be forewarned that realistic does not mean easy, more like “do-able”. Try to set goals that you can attain with some effort. Not too simple that you think you’re not being challenged, yet not too difficult that you’re setting yourself up for failure. If you’re aiming “to lose 25 lbs by your birthday,” you might be stretching it a little too much if your birth-day happens to be in February.

Timely – Set a “deadline” for your goals, otherwise it gives a reason to procrastinate instead of taking action right now. If you’re thinking about “quitting smoking this year,” there really is no need to wait ‘til December…not only will you be saving money, but you’ll also be on your way to getting healthier sooner.

Leah Meadows, CMP
Senior Sales Manager
Doubletree Hotel San Jose