Every not-for-profit organization bounds into the year with new goals, hopes, dreams and expectations of greatness.

Did your organization’s year start out this way?  So how’s that going for you?  Everything you thought it would be?  Well, if it is not going as well as you thought, don’t get too discouraged.  I would like to share with you some simple and easy steps for reaching your goals and putting the bounce back into your step.

First, your goals must be S.M.A.R.T., which is the acronym for:

Specific,

Measurable,

Attainable,

Realistic and

Time Sensitive

Here is a good example of a S.M.A.R.T. goal:  “By December 31, 2011, our organization will increase new membership by 10 percent.”

One very important factor to note in a S.M.A.R.T. goal is that the difference between Attainable and Realistic is measured in cost.  For instance, doubling your members, or clients might be attainable but it would cost your organization millions of dollars, you’d work around the clock and every other area of your business, not to mention your health, would suffer greatly; Attainable, not realistic.

Secondly, once you have decided what your goal or series of goals are, WRITE THEM DOWN!  Don’t type them into a word document that sits on your desktop, WRITE THEM. Why do you ask?  Well, it is has been proven that 95 percent of goals that are written and read on a regular basis are reached.  Each one of us learns through our senses: visual, auditory and kinesthetically. Your goals are more engrained in you when your brain processes the words to write them out and sees them on paper. If you really want an edge on achieving your goals, take them out and read them out loud every day to someone else.

Now you’ve got your S.M.A.R.T goals on paper, you’re sharing them with someone who will encourage and inspire you as well as hold you accountable. Now what?  It’s time for action! Break those goals into daily behaviors and do what you know it’s going to take. Make the calls, do the reviews, learn the program, buy the software, hire the person, fire the person, etc.  Whatever it takes to achieve those goals, it’s your responsibility to do it. Quit making excuses and “Get S.M.A.R.T.”