Cheers to Being SMART About Goals!

“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default.”

― J.K. Rowling

As human beings, we never stop dreaming and hoping that all our dreams and goals will come true for various reasons, whether they are in the pursuit of success, glory, change, acceptance, or love. However, while things often do not go our way because life has a way of taking us in unexpected places, there are still some things that are still within our control, like our decisions. With final destinations and dreams in mind, we often come up with billions of short term and long term game plans.

Unfortunately, sometimes fear impedes the fruition of our intentions because we are afraid of rejection, failure, inadequacy, disappointment, etc. We might believe we are not worthy of it. We might think that we don’t have the intelligence or the necessary skills to the point that we just don’t try. Maybe we believe we have the skills, resources, self-efficacy, and intelligence to bring our goals and dreams to life while simultaneously thinking we are being selfish for pursuing them since we have other responsibilities like family obligations.

While nothing can be done for dreams and goals that are not coveted enough, dreams can be realizable if we have enough of a desire and motivation to persevere. Fortunately, dreams are achievable when we make them specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely all while we learn to love the process in order to keep our motivation up.

For instance, I will supply you with the game plan for some of my current goals aligned with my dream of having a fulfilling, healthy, and happy life, which means that all aspects of my life must prosper.

#1 School

“There are so many ways to be brave in this world. Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself, or for someone else. Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known, or everyone you have ever loved, for the sake of something greater. But sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it is nothing more than gritting your teeth through pain, and the work of every day, the slow walk toward a better life. That is the sort of bravery I must have now."― Veronica Roth, Allegiant

In order to get a great job or internship while I am on my path to my BA, I need to have an awesome GPA. Unfortunately, getting straight A's is no easy feat at UCLA though it is not impossible. So, I decided to prevent myself from being intimidated by the seemingly dauntless task of always be Hermione, I needed to change my long term goals of getting A's, obtaining a good part time job, graduating, and getting an awesome career to small continuous goals. Thus, I applied SMART.

1.Specificity: Designate one day per class, so I don't waste mental energy changing gears from different courses, readings, and lectures that have nothing to do with each other.

2. Measurability: I will feel a rush of triumph and satisfaction when I see A after A as my parents congratulate me.

3. Attainability: I can do this since most of my classes are asynchronous, so I can watch it on its designated day.

4. Relevancy: I want to reach this short term goal because it will improve my GPA, which is necessary for letters of recommendation, scholarships, and jobs. The objective behind the goal is that I will become more knowledgable in my field, and I will make my parents proud. Fortunately for me, this goal will get me one step closer to a fulfilled life because I would have made my parents' struggles worth it if I become a successful individual.

5. Timelessness: While I often lack motivation, I always stay on task by remembering why I do what I do. In this case, by designating specific days to particular courses, there is enough structure to succeed and leeway to relax at the end of the day since I am not trying to cram every reading, assignment, and lecture in one day.

#2 Love

"Somebody loves you if they assume the role of caretaker when you’re sick. Unsure if someone really gives a shit about you? Fake a case of food poisoning and text them being like, “Oh, my God, so sick. Need water.” Depending on their response, you’ll know whether or not they REALLY love you. “That’s terrible. Feel better!” earns you a stay in friendship jail; “Do you need anything? I can come over and bring you get well remedies!” gets you a cozy friendship suite. It’s easy to care about someone when they don’t need you. It’s easy to love them when they’re healthy and don’t ask you for anything beyond change for the parking meter"-Ryan O'Connell

I often prefer doing what is easy, but that rarely results in the best things in life. That is why it is important to make time for those one loves since they are meant to be there when one needs them; however, we are meant to also be there when they need us even if it was not explicitly stated. It is unfair of me to expect that my friends will call to see how I am, if I am unwilling to put in the effort because at the end of the day we learn by example. While it is hard to be vulnerable and selfless, we must never stop showing our loved ones our love because that is how we cultivate more of it. However, it is hard to reach out at times because we might not know how to go about it. Thus, I applied SMART to this goal.

1.Specificity: Since I need to be more open and selfless in my relationships to maintain them, I decided to simplify it by setting a small goal, which is call, message, or talk to one person per day even if it is a quick check-up whether it is a family member or one of my friends.

2. Measurability: After achieving my short-term goal, I hear the voice of those I love and laugh like a maniac to the point that I feel myself become rejuvenated and ready to tackle the world.

3. Attainability: Fortunately for me, I have no excuse as to why I could not reach my goal since there are multiple mediums like phones, Zoom, Instagram, etc.

4. Relevancy: While this goal might not pertain to my career directly, it has a direct impact on my life as a whole since it is important to be emotionally fulfilled. In the end, I would not want to walk the journey of life alone.

5. Timelessness: After finishing all my designated assignments, readings, and lectures per day, I am free to stimulate my heart, mind, and emotions, which propels me to never give up on my goal.

#3 Mind

"You do not read a book for the book's sake, but for your own. You may read because in your high-pressure life, studded with problems and emergencies, you need periods of relief and yet recognize that peace of mind does not mean numbness of mind"― Earl Nightingale

I am a firm advocate of the rejuvenating powers of indulging in activities that we personally love whether it is playing a sport, singing, dancing, playing video games, art, hiking, swimming, etc. I personally love reading and watching cool new shows and films, so I make sure not to forget to add leisure to my week or I would otherwise drown in responsibilities. While responsibilities like class can be fun, they are still associated with high and stressful stakes. It is prudent to make the time to engage in activities for the sake of the activity and all the good feelings associated with them. However, time management is difficult when so much is demanded of us especially in these trying times. Thus, I applied SMART to the goal of partaking in leisure activities.

1.Specificity: Since I decided not to get sucked into all noise that prevents me from enjoying life, I vow to read one book per week even if I swimming in work along with watching one show or movie by myself or with my family per day.

2. Measurability: It is a goal that hopefully never reaches its end even when I am old and grey, so that it continues to fill me with wonder as I smell the pages and hear the crinkle of turning pages. If it does happen to change, I hope it is because I either had more time to read more books or because I found a new love that brings me peace, wisdom, and happiness.

3. Attainability: Fortunately for me, I love indulging in leisure activities; thus, the real struggle is learning to balance and effectively managing my time so that I do not run the risk of only doing one thing while neglecting other things.

4. Relevancy: While this goal might not pertain to my career directly, it has a direct impact on my life as a whole since it is crucial to make time for everything, especially those things that not only make us feel alive but also save us in some hard times.

5. Timelessness: It is essential to take breaks between assignments, lectures, and readings, so I use my time to eat to sit back and enjoy a book or watch a show. Usually, the safest option is to watch a show since it has an ending versus a book that can be too engrossing that time flies without me noticing.

#4 Body

“A fit, healthy body—that is the best fashion statement”― Jess C Scott

Since we are in a pandemic, it is easy to mindlessly go to the kitchen to munch everytime we are bored or we need a distraction; however, it is dangerous to munch on junk food especially because we are not exercising as much as we should. If lack of exercise was not bad enough, junk food digestion depletes our energy much more quickly since our bodies are not equipped to break down certain ingredients in our junk food. So, it is wise to eat healthier especially if I am going to mindlessly snack on chocolate, popcorn, chips, etc. But, that is hard since they taste so good. Thus, I applied SMART.

1.Specificity: In order to stop myself from eating junk food and eating healthier, I decided to change my environment by cutting up inordinate amounts of vegetables and fruits while making junk food inaccessible in my house. Since I can't help myself from munching, my short term goal is to eat vegetables or fruits once per day.

2. Measurability: After every healthy snack, I feel more energy because of the expectation of health that comes like a placebo.

3. Attainability: In case I have no will power, I enlisted my mother's help, which makes my goal very achievable especially as she has not bought my family and I any junk food.

4. Relevancy: While this goal might not pertain to my career directly, it has a direct impact on my life as a whole since it is important to be healthy in order to do everything else. For instance, if I am too tired because my body is using a lot of its energy reserve to break down junk food, I can't fulfill all expectations.

5. Timelessness: I munch every day and what seems all day, so becoming healthier is going to be a breeze especially with my mom's help.