SMART goals put you on track for success

The thought of setting goals to many people is boring at best, paralyzing at worst. Admitting that we have control of our own course and the responsiblity of changing unsatisfactory circumstances can be the first, and most frightening hurdle. The temptation to blame others for not realizing our dreams or for feeling “stuck” may be keeping us from turning our dreams into realistic goals.

Setting a nebulous goal (AKA a New Year’s resolution) and giving yourself all year to do it is a formula for failure. So what is the strategy for success? It is actually pretty simple — and it should be because the process is hard. Overturning the deeply entrenched habits that keep us repeating our mistakes year after year requires a plan and a clearly defined goal. Mere wishing for something better rarely bears fruit. On the other hand, goals are S.M.A.R.T.- specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time-bound. Using the SMART system and these 5 simple steps, you will see evidence that written goals attract results:

1. List your top 5 values in life — the things you live for

2. Set a long range goal for each value — something to shoot for

3. Set a goal that you can reasonably achieve in a year for each long range goal.

4. Break each annual goal into 4 parts that you can complete in 3 months — quarterly goals.

5. Establish quarterly goals by setting monthly and weekly benchmarks, and then tackle them with daily tasks. Make your daily to-do list count toward your goals.

Starting with the end in mind, you set shorter-term goals until it comes down to action — your daily to do list. Your future becomes less about wishing and dreaming and more about documenting and getting to work.

Last Friday, I set a fundraising goal to raise $1,300 in the final three days of December 2017. By publishing my goal in last weeks Daily Bee column, I made a commitment. I knew that most people had already made their year-end donations to their causes of choice, so I was a little bit apprehensive about it. But, I also knew that it was a reasonable goal. Our goal was achieved before 5 p.m. on Friday when a library supporter came in and asked how much we needed to reach out goal. By then, we needed another $300 before midnight on Sunday. The gentleman wrote us a check for that amount and boom, our goal was met. By the end of our goal deadline, we had raised $1,825.

At each benchmark along the way, take a minute to acknowledge your accomplishments — maybe even plan a small reward for reaching the goal by your stated deadline as an incentive to avoid procrastination. Another tip: make your daily list the night before to increase morning productivity and resist excessive planning (another form of procrastination, also known as analysis paralysis).

Goal-setting isn’t just for the planners and list-writers of the world. It isn’t boring or a waste of time. If you want to make something happen, you have the power to do it. Watch how setting goals the right way attracts results in your life.

- Monday, Jan. 8 — Teen Center Game, 3:30 p.m., Sandpoint Teen Center, 104 S. Division. Teen Librarian, Morgan Gariepy hosts collaborative gaming for teens. For more information call Morgan at 263-6930 ext. 1245 or morgan@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Jan. 9 — Mother Goose, 10:15 a.m. The Library’s Story Times will be at Creations on the Cedar St. Bridge for a while due to the construction project. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 yrs and caregivers. Info: suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Jan. 9 — Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m. at Creations. Stories and crafts for kids ages 2-5 yrs. The Library’s Story Times will be at Creations on the Cedar St. Bridge for a while due to the construction project. Info: suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Jan. 9 — Robotics with Lego Mindstorm, 3 p.m. Learn to build or code. For boys and girls age 8+ at the Clark Fork Branch. Subject to cancelation. Please call 266-1321 to confirm before attending.

- Wednesday, Jan. 10 — Clark Fork Stories & More, 10:30 a.m. Kids and their caregivers enjoy story time, songs, snacks, and crafts at the Clark Fork branch.

- Wednesday, Jan. 10 — Make It at the Library, 2 p.m. Kids make a variety of age appropriate projects at the Clark Fork Branch.

- Friday, Jan. 12 — Teen Writers Club, 3:30 p.m. at the Sandpoint Branch Library, 1407 Cedar. Young writers of all writing platforms are invited to drop in for collaboration, writing prompt activities, and refreshments. For more info, contact Morgan at 263-6930 ext. 1245 or morgan@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturday, Jan. 13 — American Heritage Wildlife Series, 2 p.m. at the Clark Fork Branch Library, 601 Main. January’s program: “Nocturnal Native Sounds — Find Out Who Lives in the Dark.” For more information, call 266-1321.

- Winter Reading Program — It’s time for The Library’s Winter Reading Program, a reading challenge for kids. Pick up a reading bingo log and track your reading and read-to-me hours to qualify for prizes. For more information, call Suzanne Davis, 263-6930 ext. 1211, or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- StoryWalk — A partnership of The Library, Kaniksu Land Trust, and the cities of Dover and Ponderay. Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. At Dover City Park, read “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” by Richard Smith and Felix Bernard. At McNearney Park in Ponderay (behind Panhandle Animal Shelter), enjoy “Winter is the Warmest Season,” by Lauren Stringer. For more information, visit ebonnerlibrary.org or call Suzanne Davis, Children’s Services Librarian, 263-6930 ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org. Read, connect, and get outside at a StoryWalk.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing and community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-263-6930, ext. 1204.