Life
2 Ways of Setting Goals Without Being SMART

When you are looking to set your very first life goals and start to do some research, chances are, you’ll discover a method called the “SMART” goal setting strategy very early on. Sure, this is a great method that you can use in order to ensure each of the goals that you set can be achieved, but the SMART method can also be a little complicated for those who are not used to the entire process.
Furthermore, a lot of people are just looking for a way they can set up a few goals in the simplest way possible and then strive toward reaching them. The good news is that there is more than just one way to go about setting goals.
While the SMART method is certainly one of the more popular options that you can opt for, you can also go with any of the other options that people have developed and still be able to reach the goals you wish to achieve in life effectively.
Plus, if you’re used to the SMART method, introducing a few alternative methods often stimulates different thinking patterns, which in turn may expand your thinking or scope of goals!
Here are 2 Alternative Goal-Setting Strategies To the SMART Method:
1. Simple Goal Setting Strategy
First up is the easiest option that you can opt for if you wish to set goals without having to go through a time-consuming process – a simple goal setting strategy. This primarily involves setting your goal in a specific timeframe, and then determining what needs to be done for you to be able to achieve that particular goal.
With a simple goal setting strategy, you start by defining the goal you want to achieve as specifically as possible. Try to avoid goals that are too vague like “I want to save some money.” Be specific, like “I want to save $5000 for a new car” or “I want to save $2000 to install new kitchen cupboards.” When you are specific, you know exactly what you are striving towards. This also makes it easier to know exactly what needs to be done and keeps you focused.
Afterwards, you need to determine an appropriate time frame. Specify when you are going to start implementing actions to help you reach the goal and also when you wish to achieve the goal.
Be realistic when it comes to setting a timeframe – if you need to save up $2000, but you can only spare $200 per month, don’t expect your goal to be reached within just a three-month period, for example. Unless you’re going to drastically change habits or start a side hustle for extra income.
Finally, determine what you need to do, what actions you need to take, and what should happen between the start and finish date of your goal. Action planning is often overlooked when setting goals, however it is proven to be one of the most valuable behaviors that contribute towards success in meeting goals.
Write down every step of the process in order to make things as simple as possible for yourself. This way, you’ll be able to check back on the list at any time in order to see what you currently need to do, and what actions to do next if you wish to achieve the goal you have set.
“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.” – Confucius
2. CLEAR Goal Setting Strategy
The CLEAR Goal Setting Strategy is similar to the SMART one. It has also been growing in popularity with many people moving toward this method. There are various reasons for this, but the flexibility offered by the CLEAR method is one of the main reasons people are starting to convert their SMART goal worksheet into a CLEAR goal worksheet.
CLEAR stands for:
- Collaborative – Who else do I need involved? Who is my core team? Who am I serving? Why do these connections matter?
- Limited – What is the scope? How can I keep focused? When do I start? And when do I need results by?
- Emotional – Does it serve my larger purpose? Does it meet my needs? Does it stimulate me?
- Appreciable – What are the small actions? How to make this more actionable? What are my stepping stones?
- Refinable – What do I see changing? What paths or options do I have, and when? Can the goals change as I change, or my circumstances change?
It’s important to note at this point that the CLEAR strategy was mainly invented to assist businesses where teams need to work together to achieve a specific goal. This, however, does not mean that the CLEAR method cannot be used in your own life to set personal goals for yourself.
When you set a goal with this method in mind, the ultimate goal or the big picture that you are aiming for should have a few qualities:
- Both duration and scope of the goal should be limited – in other words, you should be able to limit the amount of time it would take you to reach the goal, and the goal should be specific enough for you to understand what you are aiming for truly.
- The goal should have an emotional connection for you. Something that has meaning for you as a person. If your goal is to lose weight, then the emotional connection will likely be related to your own health, how you feel about yourself, and how other people view you.
- The goal should be specific, but, at the same time, be flexible. Life is unpredictable – so if anything changes in the period of time that you are striving to achieve a specific goal, then the goal you have set should be adjustable. You need to be able to make modifications to the goal in order to accommodate the specific changes that have occurred in your life.
“Goals allow you to control the direction of change in your favor.” – Brian Tracy
Even though the SMART goal setting method is very popular, it’s not the only option out there for people who are looking to set their first life goals. If you are not too keen on the SMART method, then look at the alternatives listed. They are all very powerful and will be just as effective in helping you achieve the goals.
How do you go about setting your goals? Share your processes with us below!
Image courtesy of Twenty20.com

It’s 2023, a new year, new you, right? But how do we start over? How do we make the changes in our lives that we crave so much to see? (more…)
Life
Failing is More Important Than Succeeding
Failure is an integral part of life as life is incomplete without failures.

People often consider failure a stigma. Society often doesn’t respect the people who failed and avoids and criticizes their actions. Failure is an integral part of life as life is incomplete without failures. Not to have endeavored is worse than failing in life as at some stage of your life you regret not having tried in your life. (more…)
Life
5 Indicators of Unresolved Attachment Trauma

Trauma caused during specific stages of a child’s development, known as attachment trauma, can have lasting effects on a person’s sense of safety, security, predictability, and trust. This type of trauma is often the result of abuse, neglect, or inconsistent care from a primary caregiver.
Individuals who have not fully processed attachment trauma may display similar patterns of behavior and physical or psychological symptoms that negatively impact their adult lives, including the choices they make in relationships and business.
Unfortunately, many people may not even be aware that they are struggling with trauma. Research estimates that 6% of the population will experience PTSD in their lifetime, with a majority of males and females having experienced significant trauma.
Unresolved attachment trauma can significantly impair the overall quality of a person’s life, including their ability to form healthy relationships and make positive choices for themselves. One well-known effect of unhealed attachment trauma is the compulsion to repeat past wounds by unconsciously selecting romantic partners who trigger their developmental trauma.
However, there are other less recognized but equally detrimental signs of unprocessed developmental trauma.
Five possible indications of unresolved attachment trauma are:
1. Unconscious Sabotage
Self-sabotage is a common pattern among individuals with unprocessed attachment trauma. This cycle often begins with hurting others, which is then followed by hurting oneself. It is also common for those with attachment trauma to have heightened emotional sensitivity, which can trigger this cycle.
This pattern can manifest in lashing out, shutting down, or impulsive behavior that leads to feelings of guilt, shame, and self-loathing.
Many people with attachment trauma are not aware of their wounds and operate on survival mode, unconsciously testing or challenging the emotional investment of those around them, and pushing them away out of self-preservation and fear of abandonment.
This can lead to a pattern of making poor choices for themselves based on impulsivity.
3. Behaviors That Block Out Trauma
4. A strong need for control
5. Psychological Symptoms That Are Not Explained
What to do next if you’re suffering from emotional attachment trauma?
There are several ways that people can work to overcome emotional attachment trauma:
- Therapy: One of the most effective ways to overcome emotional attachment trauma is through therapy. A therapist can help you process your experiences, understand the impact of your trauma on your life, and develop coping strategies to manage symptoms.
- Support groups: Joining a support group of people who have had similar experiences can be a great way to find validation, empathy, and a sense of community.
- Mindfulness practices: Mindfulness practices such as meditation, pilates, prayer time with God or journaling can help you become more aware of your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations, and develop a sense of spiritual connection and self-regulation.
- Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT): This is a type of therapy that is specifically designed to help individuals process and recover from traumatic events.
- Building a safety net: Building a support system of people you trust, who are there for you when you need them, can help you feel more secure and safe in your life.
It’s important to remember that healing from emotional attachment trauma is a process and it may take time. It’s also important to find a therapist who is experienced in treating trauma, who you feel comfortable talking with, and who can help you develop a personalized treatment plan.
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