Why your SMART goals fail (and what to do about it); one in a series

The act of setting goals is an important, well-researched practice to achieve personal and professional success. The experts say if you want to make something happen in your life, set a goal around it, particularly a S.M.A.R.T. goal. 

So why is it that you still fail to accomplish a goal, even after you have set one? Because no matter how specific and measurable you make your goal and despite how realistically achievable, rooted in reality and timely it is, there is still a high likelihood that you will fail to live up to the expectation you set for yourself.

We often fail to achieve our goals because we are setting goals that we are not that in to. We may think that we want to take some classes or advance in our current jobs or take a leap toward a new career. We may even set concrete goals around these notions. But if there is no resonance, no excitement around them, we will fail. Every time.

Think of a food you hate: what goal could you set to make you like that food? Or think of a household task you despise: what goal would motivate you to do it? Do you now see why it's so difficult to write you resume, go to a networking event, create a business plan, or conduct an informational interview?

Goals are only part of the answer; resonance is the other part. In this series, we'll explore way to build and work with this resonance.

Step one - visualize the future state:

Think about your goal, and then life a month after you have accomplished it. 

For example, if you were to leave your job for one that is more appealing to you, what would your world be like? How excited would you feel? What would be available to you that isn't available to you right now? 

By spending time in this "place" you are visualizing you future, a powerful way of creating resonance and making goals stick. When you visualize, you cultivate a positive, prosperous point-of-view. You dwell in the outcome of your goal and the magnificent change you have created for yourself. When you visualize, the goal not only seem possible but you can't wait to accomplish it. 

Get the image in your head and spend time in it. Hear the sounds, smell the smells...feel it.

Assignment: write you goal on a piece of paper. Then, look at it, close your eyes, and imagine what it would be like to accomplish it. Explore the positive changes to your being: the way you behave, the depth of your relationships, the way you spend your time, how you are "being" while you are doing. What does it feel like to you now? Comment on this below.