Growing up, one of the movies that shaped my childhood was “The Princess Bride”. (I’m sure you’ve seen it, but if not, it’s available on Disney Plus!) For some reason, as I was thinking about setting goals this week, I immediately went to Inigo Montoya from the movie – a man with a clearly defined goal that shaped his entire life.
I’m sure any of us who have seen the movie can actually recite his goal by memory: “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
Research shows that following the “SMART” methodology is one of the best ways to set and accomplish goals.
How to Use SMART Goal Methodology
SMART is an acronym – Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Relevant, Time-based. This methodology can be used for individuals, work teams, families or any situation really.
Inigo even uses SMART, when he recites his goal in the movie with a twist. It is backwards going from T to S.
| Specific | “Prepare to die (by my sword).” |
| Measuarable | (It’s either Inigo or his opponent.) |
| Assignable | “You killed my father” (Inigo knows the target.) |
| Relevant | “My name is Inigo Montoya” (the why behind his actions.) |
| Time-based | “Hello.” (Right now.) |
But, how can we use it for ourselves? Many people try to reduce their social media usage to improve their mental health. Let’s take that example and see how we can use SMART goal methodology to make it achievable.
| Specific | I want to reduce my time on Instagram. |
| Measurable | I only want to spend 30 minutes a day on Instagram. |
| Assignable | I will set an iPhone time limit for the app. |
| Relevant | Instead of Instagram, I will clean the kitchen. |
| Time-based | In a month, I will evaluate how this made me feel. |
Goals aren’t limited to the new year. They can start any time. Give it a try!
Want to learn about other methods to improve your and your employees’ lives? Reach out to us! We have many strategies and tools to help you achieve your SMART goals.
