Success Goals Are Smart And Dumb

Success Goals Are Smart And Dumb
by M. McClure
http://www.goalcreationmaps.com

Back in 2000 I set a goal of passing a very difficult Information Technology certification - the Cisco CCIE. I achieved it after almost 3 years work, 3 failures at the test and the investment of a lot of time and money.

And with my family's support and understanding.

It was both a SMART goal...and a DUMB goal.

It was S.M.A.R.T. in that:

I SPECIFICALLY set out to achieve and pass an examination with a known pass mark.

It was MEASURABLE in terms of the certified status and the professional recognition that goes with passing it.

It was ACHIEVABLE because my company and I built a structure consisting of training courses, equipment and time to study.

By breaking up the study topics and learning from each failure I was able to get there in the end.

It was REALISTIC in that a lot of my day to day work was directly related to the exam syllabus and so I was both inspired and encouraged by understanding more about my "bread and butter" knowledge.

My company was also on board because they were helping to develop a "subject matter expert" in an area of importance to their business.

It was TIMEBOUND because I set a deadline for each exam attempt, booked the day some months in advance and told my peer colleagues of my intentions.

When I failed, I licked my wounds, set another deadline and got back into the studying saddle.

Now as for D.U.M.B. goals...

This was a DOODLE goal in that I spent almost all my available spare time thinking about it and playing with the myriad test scenarios and questions.

On the train, in the bathroom etc. It also helped that my day-to-day work involved the practical application of a lot of the ideas and theories I was immersed in.

The goal had UNLIMITED time in that it was effectively an extension of my vocation. It was as much for the pleasure of working toward and finally achieving the goal as it was for any increase in salary or peer recognition.

MADNESS factor - well I'd have to be a wee bit mad to sit up until 3am doing practice exercises or spending $$$ moolah buying my own equipment to practice on - and feeling good about it.

Crazy?

Yeah, crazy like a fox!

BEST EFFORT - 80% was good enough to pass. I did my best and moved on as the syllabus was massive and study time limited.

Still, many iterative passes at the material slowly but surely raised my game.

All things considered -- SMART + DUMB had only one intentional outcome in mind: Success.

Be smart. Be dumb. Be successful.

For more on goal setting get my FREE report:
"Discover How To Create Incredible Yet Reachable Goals".
Goal Setting Report
Mark McClure is a Japan-based 'change-the-game' e-coach and internet entrepreneur.

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