There’s increasing amounts of research out there on the neuroscience of goal setting and its importance in goal achievement. Essentially, the human brain likes to predict the future: a safe, familiar future that isn’t too far away. The brain needs clarity, predictability, and assurance. After all, its primary purpose is your survival, and it wants to keep you safe. The best way to achieve your goals, and to help your brain out, is to take some time to think clearly about the change you want to create and the goals you want to attain.
You’ve probably already heard of S.M.A.R.T. goals. Did you know there’s an even better way of thinking about and describing your goals? Make your goals S.T.R.A.M.!
S = Specific
- What specifically is your goal? Is it a specific skill, behaviour, or attitude?
- Have you described the context? Where, when and with whom do you want your goal?
T = Trackable
- Is your goal trackable?
- What feedback loops can you put in place to review your progress, adjusting course/strategy where needed?
R = Relevant
- Work-based goals often need to be aligned to bigger or longer-term objectives.
- How will achieving this goal be of benefit? To you? To your organisation? To others?
A = Agreed
- Have you agreed your objectives with your manager?
- Is there anyone else that you need to include in your objective setting process?
M = Motivating
- How much motivation/desire do you currently have to embark on this goal? And is that enough?
- How can you increase, and maintain, the levels of motivation needed to achieve this goal?