Why SMART Goals need to calm down

I want to reimagine goal setting. What about flexible goal setting instead?

I want to reimagine goal setting. 

I want to dismantle and rediscover what success looks like, for each of us, individually.  I want to unravel everything we’ve thought about achievement, productivity and worth. I want to untangle the layers of societal pressure, generational patterns and internal expectations.

In recent times, we have started asking ‘how do you want to feel’ instead of only asking ‘ what do you want to achieve or attain’, which is a good start.  Thankfully, as a society we’ve started acknowledging that presence and joy and connection are often more important than wealth, status or material objects. 

But we’re still putting A LOT of pressure on ourselves. I believe there is more digging to do. More self compassion to find. More nuance to discover.

Instead of ‘what do I want to achieve, do or feel’, I invite you to start asking yourself…

~ Who & How do you want to be?
~ What are your ideal states of being?
~ What kind of person do you crave to be? 
~ What experiences & adventures are you craving more of?

What if we moved from SMART goals to flexible goals? 

Less rigid routines and more supportive rhythms. 
Letting go of an obsession with ‘consistency’ and finding more compassionate actions.

What if we created a menu of self-honouring behaviours?
It could be a list of experiences, outcomes, resources or states of being.

What would be ideal for you and your life?
What would be enough and then a little bit more comfortable and joyful?

What about flexible goal setting framework instead? Listen in here.

And grab the template here.

I hope it helps you plan and set goals with some more self compassion, curiosity and courage.

So much love,

Sarah x