The idea of S.M.A.R.T. goals has been around for a long time: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. I have used this strategy myself and have recommended it to my clients in the past. However, I have found it insufficient in helping to specify what the goals should be and how to attain them. With the “Goals for Life” program, AWESOME is as AWESOME does.

A: Actualize and define your need or desire! By visualizing what you want your end result to be and seeing yourself living that result, it becomes more real and thus your brain views it as being attainable. When you take the time to make your dreams reality in your mind’s eye: seeing it, touching it, tasting it, savoring it, your success in achieving that goal becomes more do-able.

W: Write it down! I tell this to my clients all the time. Write down your goals. What do you want to accomplish? What is your heart’s desire? Write it down. Write it in a journal or a diary, write it on a sticky note and put it on the bathroom mirror, write it on a white board, write it in magnets on the fridge. Whatever you do, keep it where you can see it all the time.

E: Energize it! Your dreams, desires and goals mean nothing if you don’t act on them. Continual movement toward your goals is essential to reaching them. Take action now. It doesn’t have to be a big action, it just has to be something. Small steps are easy to make and require little effort. Take action now.

S: See your success! Make your goals more real and attainable by visualizing yourself living them. How do you look once your goal is reached? How do you feel? What new direction can your life take once your current goals are met? How can that lead to new goals?

O: Open your mind! Accept all options as possible. In order to move forward with your goals, you need to leave negative thoughts behind. Establish a daily routine of positive self-talk and choose to work through fear and adversity. The key to success is belief in yourself.

M: Measure your success! Don’t think you have to wait until you’ve reached your goals to consider it a success. Each and every step along the way that moves you closer to the end result is a success and a reason to celebrate. If there are ten, five, or even one thing you must do to reach your goal, each thing accomplished is a success.

E: Every day! You need to review your goals each and every day so you never lose site of them. Don’t get caught up in day to day activities and forget your goals. Review them each day and take one small step toward reaching them. Step by step, one day at a time. By practicing to reach your goals every day, you develop new habits that bring you closer to those goals.

Make your mantra AWESOME and you’’ll see more dreams realized. Goal-setting is important, but by choosing to be AWESOME, you will find it easier to determine which goals to work towards, and make it easier to take the steps necessary to reach them.

Each of these AWESOME directives will aid you in taking the steps necessary to set, move towards and reach your goals. You have the ability to live your dreams. Take small steps, make little, easy to follow changes, do something positive every day and your dreams will become your reality.

You have The Power to change. You have The Power to choose. Choose to be AWESOME. Choose to be The Power.

Author's Bio: 

Patti is a registered nurse and health coach with a specialty in cardiac health. In addition to individual coaching she works with small to mid-sized business to develop workplace wellness programs. She has also designed and implemented education and precepting programs, public access defibrillator, and cardiac rehab programs.

She is a certified American Heart Association BLS, AED, and First Aid instructor and does training and certification by appointment.

She is the President/CEO of My CardioResource and My-Med-Keeper.
www.mycardioresource.com/sq
www.my-med-keeper.com