"Dad do you have any new years resolutions?," I asked with a ton of wonder in my eyes. "Nope, just keep living." he said with an assurance that I wasn't familiar with.
This conversation with my dad led to a longer discussion about living with purpose. He suggested I spend less time cultivating resolutions, and more time living a life where the possibilities are endless – everyday. I left the conversation inspired.
I had a couple vision board parties scheduled, I admittedly, was really excited to go to; but my conversation with my dad still lingered in my mind. I mean, who doesn't like getting crafty and creative about their future plans? "Write a vision down, and make it plain" (Biblical reference: Habakkuk 2:2-3), right? For context, this is by far one of the highlights of every holiday season for me – casting vision for the future. What if there is a smarter way though?
Earlier this week, my boss introduced me to S.M.A.R.T. goals. She prefaced our goal-oriented "vision board" project with the significance of casting vision. The most unique part about this vision board project was we had to choose one goal that could be easily obtainable with a plan. Needless to say, going to space was not making it on the list; however, we could dream about where we hope our financial, relational, professional, and other personal goals could take us with a plan.
According to Project Smart, George T. Doran, former director of a company, published an article in a management review about S.M.A.R.T. goals in 1981 (Haughey, 2014). In the article he breaks down effective ways to document and execute management goals and objectives (Doran, 1981). Here's what the acronym stands for:
Specific: target a specific area for improvement
Measurable: quantify or at least suggest an indicator of progress
Assignable: specify who will do it
Realistic: state what results can realistically be achieved, given available resources
Time-Related: specify when the result(s) can be achieved
(Schuman, 2023)
This was a new concept for me. I had friends in the past encourage me to get specific about how I planned to execute my goals, but this seemed like a beast I had never met. I resistantly began to comb through goals in my mind.
"Maybe the goal is test prep for future degree program(s)? How about finishing this Master of Divinity? OH! I could make goals for sticking to my boundaries."… and then, like a bus, it hit me…
"Consistency and Discipline… for Black Ponder Puffs"I immediately got discouraged. All of the "what ifs" began to develop a cyclone of doubt in my mind to quit before I could get started. Maybe a more easily obtainable goal could be a goal that wasn't so interconnected with one my creative contributions to the world; or on a deeper level, maybe I couldn't stand the accountability. I pushed myself to do it anyway. Consistency and discipline can take me, if not all of us, a really long way. So, the chance I'm taking is the chance to work on my character in hopes of it bleeding over into the work I produce and the creative things I cultivate.
I encourage you to start this year with some S.M.A.R.T. goals. I discourage you from "going big or going home!" because true progress lies in the little steps we take when we decide to move forward. Your S.M.A.R.T. goal could be being more financially stable, healing from a break up, preparing application materials for Law School, or learning how to be present, patient, happy, and whole. Whatever it is, know that you are not alone in your pursuits of becoming a version of yourself you're happy with.
My dad had a great point, I didn't need a "new year's" resolution. I needed to live. I needed to get realistic about the condition of my life, the decisions I'm making, the relationships that are forming me, the habits that are guiding me, and the love that is leading me. So, while I really enjoyed the vision board party I attended, and still plan to make a 'New Year's Bingo Card' with some of my other homegirls, I know my goal-setting doesn't end where my creativity begins.
May you keep in mind that little progress is still progress. May you be reminded that goal-getting is an everyday activity, not a new calendar year activity alone. May you be reminded that every step you've taken this far has allowed you to live in a condition that you ought to be grateful for. Nothing is wasted. Make this life, and this year, count.
I love you. Jesus loves you most.
Be encouraged. Be free. Be fruitful.
With love and a big hug,
Miss Ponder
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Citation:
Doran, G. T. (1981). "There's a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management's Goals and Objectives", Management Review, Vol. 70, Issue 11, pp. 35-36.
Haughey, D. (2014, December 13). A brief history of smart goals. Project Smart. https://www.projectsmart.co.uk/smart-goals/brief-history-of-smart-goals.php
Schuman, N. (2023, January 13). Explainer: S.M.A.R.T. Goals. Proquest. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2889151718?accountid=14816&parentSessionId=GegSWJRVhthtTRGJHUnXvYDis67woqsbatfuFIz3JYc%3D&pq-origsite=primo&sourcetype=Trade%20Journals
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