Many of us have been taught about setting goals through the use of the SMART acronym. The theory is that in order to be successful in our pursuits, our goals must be:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Tangible
But for many, this template for goal setting is rigid and uninspiring. It puts the concept of planning and achievement in a linear framework that appeals only to the rational side of our brains. Our goals then become a list of “shoulds” that require us to be disciplined and methodical in order to reach our objectives.