Deadlines are essential motivators in goal setting. That’s why the T, in SMART Goals, refers to the term time-bound. Time-bound means the time you allocate for you to complete your goal. An obvious start and end date for your goals are an influential piece of your goal-setting plan. When you set beginning and end times for yourself, you are better able to stay on track, give you the ability to focus on your goal, and provide you with something to work toward. Mini-deadlines will help you keep up the motivation because you will celebrate your smaller successes along the way. Deadlines will also help with time management, making your goal more easily accomplished. Managing your time well will help you allocate your time where needed, toward achieving your goal. Parkinson’s Law states that work will expand to fill the time allotted. So, be careful not to allow three months to complete a task when it could be done in one month.
Time-bound goals have a start and end date. Setting a time frame for yourself when you expect to complete your goal will give you a sense of urgency. Time-bound goals also keep you focused on the task you have laid out for yourself by prioritizing your everyday tasks. It’s easy to get caught up in the things we have to get done in life. Work and family obligations often take over. Having a mentor or being part of a mastermind group will keep you from letting other tasks take over. When the goal is time-bound, it helps keep the goal in the forefront, with a sense of necessity.
Mini-deadlines are another way that time-bound goals help ensure success. You can set yourself some smaller deadlines within your primary goal and reward yourself for those mini successes along the way. For example, let’s say your goal is to walk for 30 minutes, five times a week for three months, in the evening, when you get home from work, to get healthier. The deadline here is for three months. An example of a useful mini goal could be at the one week mark. If you check-in with yourself every Friday evening and you have followed through with walking for 30 minutes every evening after work for that week, you have completed your mini-goal. If you allow yourself a small reward for achieving the mini-goal, you will further solidify success.
If you have not achieved your mini-goal, examine why you have not accomplished your plan. Then make the adjustments necessary to achieve the goal. Making these adjustments will ensure you hit your final destination.
Time-sensitive goals are an essential part of the SMART Goals method. Setting deadlines will increase your productivity and help ensure your success.
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