# Evaluating Your Progress: Are You Truly Measuring Up?
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Chapter 1: The Importance of Setting SMART Goals
How have you progressed with your goals this year? It’s been over six months since the New Year’s resolutions were made. Have you kept track of your achievements? Have you adjusted your goals due to unforeseen challenges, or have they been completely forgotten? Did you even establish any goals, particularly SMART ones?
I must admit that when I initially wrote about this topic, I wasn’t in a mindset to set specific SMART goals. In fact, I’ve rarely practiced this concept throughout my life, though I’m eager to change that moving forward. It’s not that I lack ambition or a growth mindset; I simply haven’t prioritized documenting or effectively tracking my goals as many others do. This approach wasn’t something I learned during my upbringing, nor did I incorporate it later in life. While I grasp the differences between short-term and long-term goals and am familiar with SMART goals, I haven’t had clear examples to learn from.
Professionally, I have utilized SMART goals. For example, during my tenure as Front Office Manager at a Radisson Hotel, I understood the necessity of tracking business goals meticulously. However, applying this to my personal life was a different story. I often thought, much like Yoda, that “there is no try, only do.” Essentially, I recognized a goal was achieved once it was accomplished—simple as that!
For instance, if my objective was to run a mile without stopping, I would train until I succeeded. If I later aimed to improve my completion time, I would work toward that goal. I didn’t meticulously track my progress on paper, but I did keep a mental note of various factors—how I felt before, during, and after my run, whether my breathing became easier, and if my stride felt more natural. Yet, I lacked any documented evidence.
Now, I see the immense value in not just having goals but also in tracking them in a Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) manner. Though I’ve always understood the concept, I didn’t practice it with the same diligence as others. Part of this might stem from not having role models who demonstrated the importance of tracking goals. Additionally, I never prioritized the time needed to measure my progress, which is essential for ongoing evaluation and adjustment.
Take my water intake, for example. I keep a general estimate of how much I drink throughout the day but haven't consistently recorded it. At various points, I’ve attempted to track it using different methods—like my physical calendar or Google Calendar—but nothing has stuck so far.
Section 1.1: Understanding Character Measurement
When it comes to assessing someone's character, how do you think people typically respond? What criteria do you believe they base their answers on? Is it their achievements? How they treat others? Their influence in society or their power over others? How do we define and measure character?
In our current societal climate, one widely accepted method to gauge a person’s character is through their accomplishments. But how do we quantify accomplishments? This leads to a complex web of questions, though one way is by examining societal standards of success, which often hinge on the completion of various measurable goals.
To illustrate, in hotel management, we assess metrics like employee retention and guest satisfaction ratings. Without tracking these over time, how can we determine whether we’re improving or successful in reaching our goals?
The first video, "Math for Kids: Measurement, 'How Do You Measure Up' - Fun & Learning Game for Children," provides a playful yet educational perspective on the concept of measurement, encouraging children to engage with the idea of setting and achieving goals.
Section 1.2: The Synergy of Goals
How frequently should we evaluate our goals? This may depend on various factors, including importance, personal or professional relevance, and task complexity. For instance, high employee turnover can adversely affect guest experiences. These two seemingly separate goals are interconnected, showing how one can impact the other.
If we fail to measure and analyze these elements, we risk creating a toxic cycle that hampers both employee satisfaction and guest experiences, ultimately jeopardizing our goals.
Chapter 2: The Need for Accountability
The most effective way to reach any goal is to hold yourself—and others, if necessary—accountable. While having SMART goals is beneficial, it's crucial to establish timelines for evaluating your progress. Are you on track? What’s working well, and what requires change?
You can always reset or modify your goals, but this is only possible if you maintain focus through consistent tracking. Without documented evidence, it becomes challenging to hold yourself or others accountable.
Developing accountability fosters a sense of responsibility and character. Personally, I find it easy to hold myself accountable, but I struggle to do the same with others, particularly face-to-face.
Even if you approach this process in a less rigid manner, as I often do, you can still achieve great things. Tracking your progress from start to finish not only provides insights but also gives you a sense of accomplishment. It’s akin to viewing a completed masterpiece—without understanding the journey, the effort involved can be overlooked.
Additionally, having data is invaluable. If we seek proof from others, why wouldn’t we demand the same from ourselves?
The second video, "Measuring Up Read Aloud by Lilly Lamotte and Ann Xu Part 1," emphasizes the importance of measurement in a fun and engaging format, fostering an understanding of goal-setting for younger audiences.
In conclusion, I hope you take away several key insights:
- Employing methods like SMART goals can enhance your goal-setting process and improve your success rate.
- Tracking keeps you focused, while re-evaluating ensures ongoing engagement.
- Holding yourself and others accountable reveals much about character and integrity.
- It’s perfectly acceptable to adapt or completely start over.
Remember to approach yourself and others with compassion. Life is unpredictable, and priorities can shift in an instant. What matters to you may change, and that's perfectly okay. Embrace your efforts and move forward; there's no shame in adjusting your course. After all, you are more than just a list of accomplishments. You are unique, and that in itself is a remarkable achievement.
Thank you, and best of luck in your journey. May you find love, light, grace, and countless blessings for a brighter, healthier tomorrow.
