S.M.A.R.T Goals: It is important for a Boss-Miss to be able track her goals and watch her visions come into fruition. A Boss-Miss is about her business and she knows that time management is key to her present and future success. The goals that a Boss-Miss sets for herself are S.M.A.R.T goals. “A SMART goal is a short statement that a person makes to lead them in the direction of what they want to accomplish. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Having goals written in a SMART format ensures that the goal-setter is clear on what they’re trying to accomplish, when and how “(2). With S.M.A.R.T goals a Boss-Miss can plan her future with realistic goals she can accomplish. The “S” stands for Specific . “Your goal should be clear and specific, otherwise you won’t be able to focus your efforts or feel truly motivated to achieve it. When drafting your goal, try to answer the five “W” questions:

• What do I want to accomplish?
• Why is this goal important?
• Who is involved?
• Where is it located?
• Which resources or limits are involved?” (3)

The “M” stands for Measurable. “It’s important to have measurable goals, so that you can track your progress and stay motivated. Assessing progress helps you to stay focused, meet your deadlines, and feel the excitement of getting closer to achieving your goal. A measurable goal should address questions such as:

• How much?
• How many?
• How will I know when it is accomplished?” (3)

The “A” stands for Achievable. “Your goal also needs to be realistic and attainable to be successful. In other words, it should stretch your abilities but still remain possible. When you set an achievable goal, you may be able to identify previously overlooked opportunities or resources that can bring you closer to it.An achievable goal will usually answer questions such as:

• How can I accomplish this goal?
• How realistic is the goal, based on other constraints, such as financial factors?” (3)

The “R” stands for Relevant. “This step is about ensuring that your goal matters to you, and that it also aligns with other relevant goals. We all need support and assistance in achieving our goals, but it’s important to retain control over them. So, make sure that your plans drive everyone forward, but that you’re still responsible for achieving your own goal.

A relevant goal can answer “yes” to these questions:

• Does this seem worthwhile?
• Is this the right time?
• Does this match our other efforts/needs?
• Am I the right person to reach this goal?
• Is it applicable in the current socio-economic environment?” (3)

The “T” stands for Time-Bound. “Every goal needs a target date, so that you have a deadline to focus on and something to work toward. This part of the SMART goal criteria helps to prevent everyday tasks from taking priority over your longer-term goals.

A time-bound goal will usually answer these questions:

• When?
• What can I do six months from now?
• What can I do six weeks from now?
• What can I do today?” (3)

By using S.M.A.R.T goal setting you can create goals that are achievable and attainable in a realistic time frame. This can make your goals easier to obtain if you set goals that are actually achievable, and help boast your confidence and self-esteem when you begin achieving your goals. Though S.M.A.R.T goals are great for setting relevant goals, there are many ways you can track your goals. This blog will also give you many ways that you can track your goals as well.

Vision Board: A vision board is a great tool for creating vision for yourself and setting goals for your future. “A vision board is a collage of visual images or words that represent the life you want to live” (4). To create a visions board, you will have to identify your vision first. Then you can grab the materials you need to create the board. You can pick up a cheap board at the dollar store or Wal-Mart. After you get your board, then find old magazines, photos, clip art, or print pictures and words that centers around your vision. You can paste these clippings on you vision board however you wish, but make sure that it speaks to your vision for yourself. Once the board is complete, you can hang on your wall. I would suggest that it in a place that you frequent, so you can see the board and not lose sight of your vision.

Manifestation Journal: Journaling is not only good for writing down your daily thoughts, but it can also be good for goal setting. In my journal, I write my goals out and underneath I write the steps I need to take to accomplish each goal. I also have check boxes so I can check each goal or step off as I accomplish them. There is an absolute confidence boost when I go back and see my journal full of checks off on my goals. A journal can also be kept for manifesting if you are into rituals. Reading your journal off daily in prayer can be powerful in manifesting your goals. I personally believe there is nothing more powerful than having pen or pencil meet paper. Just make sure your goals are S.M.A.R.T goals, and you’ll be checking off those boxes in no time.

Planner: Keeping a planner is not only good for goal setting, but also for time management and keeping a daily schedule. With a daily or monthly planner, you will be killing two birds with one stone. You will be setting goals, and managing your time better with a planner. I prefer a daily planner, because having time management day by day can also help with procrastination, and keep you on a schedule that fits your goals and your daily obligations. There is a group on Facebook called, “Black Women Who Plan and Create” that can help those who have an interested in planning, and they have many resources and instructions for properly planning.

Manifestation Jar: Keeping a goal jar is a great confidence boost at the end of the year when looking over all of the goals you accomplished over the year. As you complete a goal, place a piece of paper obtaining that goal into the jar. At the end of the year, you can pull out the goals sheets and look back on all of the things you accomplished for the year. There is also another way you can use a manifestation jar. At the beginning of the year, you can put all of your goals you want to accomplish for the year in the jar. Each day pull out a goal from the jar and complete the goal written on the paper. Throughout the year you can keep doing this until the jar is empty and refill the jar with more goals!

Voice Recorder: Another way I stay focused on my goals is voice recordings. Sound is also a very powerful tool in manifestation. This is why music is also powerful for the mind. After writing my goals in a journal, I record the goals on a sound recorder. I also turn my goals into “I AM” affirmations and record those I AM affirmations on my phone. Whenever you feel like you are losing sight on your vision, you can replay your sound recording and use that as a motivation tool to start working on your goals for the day.

References:

1. https://blackherstorian.com/a-no-non-sense-guide-to-becoming-a-boss-miss/
2. https://fitsmallbusiness.com/smart-goals-examples/
3. https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/smart-goals.htm
4. https://chopra.com/articles/vision-board-101-how-to-use-this-manifestation-tool

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