S.M.A.R.T. Relationship

Do you have a wise relationship with your SMART goals?

SMART goals can be healthy or toxic - depending on how we relate to them.

SMART goals like “lose 5 pounds by August” or “increase next quarter’s revenue by 15%” can be healthy if they are held in balance with deeper and describable (if not observable or measurable) goals like ‘live a life of balanced health’ or ‘maintain a vibrant and resilient corporate culture.’

On the flipside, a relationship of unthinking devotion to SMART goals can be actively toxic. Examples in our personal lives could be the pursuit of financial success at the cost of family and friends or life satisfaction. Examples from our corporate lives could be 'hitting the numbers’ at the cost of team burnout and turnover, or sacrificing ethics and/or quality.

SMART goals have been demonstrably foolish through history in their clear ability to undermine the deeper, wiser goals that include sustainability, resilience, meaning and satisfaction.