We’ve been told for years that we should be doing SMART goals and that our goals should have these 5 characteristics:

S – Specific

M – Measurable

A – Achievable

R – Relevant

T – Timebound

It is a good way to go after goals that are ho-hum, but if you’re like me, doing goal setting this way doesn’t inspire me.

John F Kennedy Set D.U.M.B. Goals

John F Kennedy in his famous speech in May of 1961 talked about sending a man to the moon before the decade was out. There’s no way we could have gone to the moon if it was set up as a SMART goal. For one thing, no one thought it was achievable.

I agree with Brendon Burchard, this was a DUMB goal. Let me show you why.

D.U.M.B. Goals

Just like SMART goals, each letter of the word gives a parameter for setting goals. Here they are:

D – Dream Driven

A dream-driven goal is all about your vision. Set goals that align with your vision and who and where you want to be. Be bold! Isn’t it time to dream again?

U – Uplifting

Who wants a goal that’s negative? Most of the time we set goals that have something to do with something we want to change like “I want to lose 10 lbs.” That’s good, but why do you want to lose 10 lbs? What would that mean for you? Change to where it’s irresistible and you can’t help but go for it.

M – Method Friendly

It is so much easier to achieve a target when you can put systems in place to help you achieve it. A good goal can help to create methods and practices that move us toward them.

B – Behavior Driven

If a goal really matters to us, it should be incorporated into our lives. It shouldn’t be something that we only think of once in a great while. What triggers can you set that continually bring you back to your goal?

It’s Time To Dream Again!

It’s fine to set S.M.A.R.T. goals but don’t hold yourself back. Set some D.U.M.B. goals and bring life back into your days.

“Set goals that match your potential, not your ability.” – Grant Cardone