Revision of SMART

When I was a missionary, I was taught the S.M.A.R.T. way of making goals and achieving them.  I probably learned much by what I was not doing when I began missionary service.  All that I did previously was honorable for my preparation, but missionary service exposed me to other people I had to work very close with and that was a more shocking and difficult endeavor than simply saying what was true about God and his work on the earth.

I can't say I made the most use of SMART goal making when I was a missionary, but I did use it consistently because mostly the same principles were taught in Preach My Gospel, the missionary manual.  For this reason, I have understood it for years, but after my missionary service I used this art of goal making less and less and never more effectively.  When it was re-introduced for this class, I was pleased, but I realized that without a companion to do such things as I learn in this class with, they have much less meaning to me, because I do most of what I need in my head, keeping track of my schedule and my expenses every day.  I seldom have a goal that is worth writing down, and if I do it carries no weight for me that it was written.

For the most part it was a revival of doctrine and common sense to be taught proper goal making again.  I have felt more constant motivation to achieve my latest SMART goal than in some weeks and with less distraction.  The difference is subtle, but worth noting, and so I expect I should have a formal goal at least once per week, to keep me doing something that matters and keeps me from baser uses of time.  Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-limited goals are the ones that get done or at least make a big impact in the time they are meant to.