Unrealistic Expectations: Setting A Smart Goals

I have been helping clients avoid unrealistic expectations and setting smart goals for over two decades. Before that, I was assisting those who would ask, as I was passionate about performance and passing on my knowledge.

Nowadays, since my coaching has gained significant recognition and credibility, people reach out to me daily asking for advice. As much as the solution to the problem they often have is obvious, since I have worked with so many people, I draw from my experience in dealing with problems.

A common mistake people make when setting out to achieve a goal is not being clear about what exactly they are aiming for, which makes understanding what it will take even more challenging. Sometimes people set unrealistic expectations; they want to look like the guy who has a shredded six-pack, a big chest, has put in years of training, and is still working out six days a week, following a very strict routine from bedtime to eating the exact amount of nutrients needed.

It could be due to a lack of understanding of what it will take or to a delusional mindset, where they think they can achieve as much in a fraction of the time, which generally doesn’t happen unless they are one of the few genetically gifted individuals in the world who only need to look at a weight to grow and can eat anything, and their body will make good use of it.

As a coach, one of the most rewarding aspects of my work is guiding others in defining their SMART goals. It’s about more than just setting targets; it’s about assessing where they currently stand and charting a clear path forward, addressing what needs to be worked on at each phase of their journey.

What do SMART Goals mean?

Setting goals is smart, but setting SMART goals is better.
Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound.

SMART goals are crystal clear and well-defined, providing a roadmap for success. They are quantifiable, enabling progress to be tracked and evaluated along the way. Moreover, they are realistic and attainable, fueling motivation while guarding against discouragement. But perhaps most crucially, SMART goals are time-bound.

By establishing specific timeframes, they create a sense of urgency and focus, mitigating the tendency to procrastinate and inspiring action.

So let me break it down and put it into practice so you can use this tool for yourself.

Specific

Goals should be clear and well-defined, providing a clear direction. This is where you must be specific; losing weight is not enough. It needs to be precise, like losing exactly 10kg.

Measurable

Goals should be quantifiable, allowing progress to be tracked and evaluated. This is where you can select a day of the week or a month of the year when you assess the outcome; in this case, it could be weighing every week and ensuring you are on the right path.

Achievable

Goals should be realistic and attainable to stay motivated and not discouraged. We need to evaluate if it is possible. Have you or anyone else you know lost 10kg before? Maybe if you are not willing to do what is necessary to achieve the specific goal, then it is unrealistic but a good coach can advise on what is.

Relevant

Goals should be relevant to encourage daily habits to form. This is where you can visualize why you want to lose weight and what impact that will have on your life. Maybe you have a wedding coming up or a vacation, something to motivate you while setting your goal.

Time-bound

Goals should have a specific timeframe, creating a sense of encouragement and focus, and reducing procrastination. Setting a target to hit at a certain time is crucial. That way, you can break the goal down into stepping stones; this could be losing 10kg in 20 weeks, equating to half a kilo a week.

SMART goals can be applied to any goal, and they can have a huge impact. Here is what Forbes magazine recently posted about dealing with unrealistic expectations and the benefits of setting smart goals :

Benefits of SMART Goals

There are a lot of benefits to setting SMART goals, which is why you should consider adding them to your business toolbox.

• First, a SMART goal helps to give you an objective. In doing this, you can identify strengths and weaknesses.
• Second, a SMART goal motivates one to succeed. When you know where the goal line is, you’ll want to work to meet or beat it.
• Third, a good SMART goal, while attainable, will also be challenging and force you out of your comfort zone.
• Ultimately, the SMART goal is a useful tool to remain focused on attaining a goal.

I take my goals very seriously. Waking up at 3:30 am on certain days to cycle for 8 hours in the lonely desert isn’t something I do for enjoyment; it’s driven by purpose. This dedication stems from setting SMART goals. I urge you to approach your goals with the same level of seriousness, regardless of their size.

If you have a target, it takes focus and precision, and you can obtain all of that by setting SMART goals.

So, be smart get rid of all of your unrealistic expectations, and start setting smart goals. Embrace clarity, embrace accountability, and watch as your aspirations transform into tangible achievements.

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Christian