SMART Goal Formula. Proven Techniques to Leverage Success

Even Bruce Lee Knows This Formula!

The well-known martial artist and movie star Bruce Lee became supreme exponent of martial arts and was once the master of masters in kung fu.

Through a short but explosive film career he made the world aware of Chinese martial arts and he then became one of the highest paid movie stars in the world. For Bruce Lee to become successful he had to overcome incredible obstacles.

As you know, he had to overcome the obstacles of being the first Chinese movie star in the West. There was a lot of prejudice towards the Chinese so this was a huge challenge…

However, Bruce overcome all the obstacles and he even used his martial arts as a medium to unite the eastern and western culture and bring down the racial barriers at that time.

Here is the Proof of How Bruce Lee Did It!

In Planet Hollywood in New York City, there is a letter hanging on the wall that Bruce Lee wrote to himself many years before he was successful.

The letter is stamped and is dated January 9, 1970. Bruce wrote on this letter clearly what his goal was to be. It said:

"By 1980 I will be the best known oriental movie star in the United States and will have secured $10 million dollars. And in return I will give the very best acting I can possibly give every single time I am in front of the camera and I will live in peace and harmony"

Bruce Lee attained this goal and he became a mega superstar and attained huge wealth well beyond the goal he set.

The formula that Bruce Lee used is called “Goal Setting" Many other successful people like Richard Branson, Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Napoleon Hill, Donald Trump, Brian Tracy, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Anthony Robbins, have discovered a unique goal setting formula to achieve great success in their lives. What is this unique formula? SMART Goals!

What is a SMART goal?

Smart Goals is goal setting using the acronym S.M.A.R.T. Successful people know the importance of setting specific goals and is one of the most important habits that you should develop. An extremely effective form of goal setting is SMART goals. I have heard of variations for the acronym. Regardless, Smart goals have the following characteristics:

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Relevant or also Realistic

Time-bound or also Tangible

Specific

A specific goal is one that contains very specific details about what you are trying to accomplish. Let's look at Bruce Lee's example. For instance, instead of setting a goal like “I want to be a movie star”, he set a smart goal, “I will be the best known oriental movie star in the United States".

Measurable

It is also very important that your goal be measurable. Remember the old adage that you can’t manage what you can’t measure. So instead of saying “My goal is to make money”, he said “secure 10 million dollars”. That is a specific and measurable goal.

Achievable

Your smart goal should be challenging and yet achievable. Don’t set yourself up for failure. You can always make the goal more challenging once you achieve your original goal, but don’t sign up to do something that you know you cannot do. This will only lead to disappointments and will negatively impact your self-esteem. So instead of saying “I will be a movie start by the end of the month”, Bruce gave himself 10 years. He wrote out his goal in 1970. His goal date - 1980.

Relevant

Your smart goal needs to be relevant to your objectives. If your goal doesn’t move you closer to what you want to achieve, then there is no point in setting the goal. In Bruce's example he didn't state by being the best martial artist in the world he will become a great star. Bruce Lee stated " I will give the very best acting I can possibly give every single time I am in front of the camera" This is relevant to his desired outcome.

Time-Bound

Last, but not least, your goal needs to be time-bound. You must give yourself a deadline for achieving your goal. So, the examples given above, Bruce clearly stated "By 1980". In your goal, add the word ‘by’, followed by the specific time, day, month or year when you will achieve your goal. A great 7 step goal setting system teaches you how to set and achieve a goal.

Remember to keep the goal challenging but achievable, so don’t give yourself a deadline that you know you cannot achieve.

These are the five components of SMART goals. Write down your SMART goals and look at them on a regular basis. One of the best ways to do this is the use of goal cards. Simple business size cards you can keep in your pocket or on your desk to easily remind you of your goals. Do not establish more than 10 goals at a time. As you achieve your goals, mark them as complete and add new ones.

If you do a good job establishing SMART goals as suggested above and follow through on working towards achieving your goals you will be on your way to success.

Are you good at setting goals but not so good at following through?

Here is a fun solution that utilizes software and worksheets to keep you on track.