BLUF: When setting life goals, planning to overcome an emergency, or succeeding in a tactical operation; implement SMART.
S – Specific: Think micro to accomplish macro. It’s easier to achieve non-generalized tasks. (Don’t set a goal as “Learn self-defense” instead make it “Learn jujitsu”)
M – Measurable: You should be able to quantify or assess the end state. (If your operation is to degrade a terrorist group’s online recruiting efforts, add supporting objectives such as “decrease engagement of @hezballahcom_media on Twitter by 20%” )
A – Achievable: Don’t be unrealistic. (Instead of aiming to go completely offgrid and self-sufficient, plan to grow potatoes and add $500 towards a solar system.)
R – Relevant: Is it applicable to reaching your intended outcome? (If you want to be a welder do you need to commit to a bachelor’s degree? Set goals that lead to accomplishment.)
T– Timely: Set a specific time frame for the mission or expectation. This may be a goal benchmark of deciding to work at a position for 4 years before you quit/transfer if you haven’t been promoted. It could be giving yourself 30 seconds to do a set number of push-ups. Alternatively, instead of telling your team to hold their ground until they get overrun, tell them to hold the position for 3 minutes then fall back to rally point.)
This article was originally written by the Grayman Briefing. Stay in the know, sign up for Intel and Situational Awareness alerts pushed to your phone on emerging threats and preparedness warnings. Click HERE to subscribe to the Grayman Briefing.
