Goal Setting, Joyfully Smart Goals: T is for Time Sensitive

Posted on the 24 September 2014 by Chasingjoy @chasing_joy
We have reached the end, the end of the Smart Goals, Goal Setting Process.  I set goals, made them Specific, Measurable,  Actionable, and Realistic.  Now we are at the last letter, which is T for Time Sensitive.
Its important to make goals Time Sensitive so that they don't morph from goal to wishful thinking.  Below are my goals and the timeliness I'm applying to them.
  1. Lose 80 lbs and wear a size 14 - This is a long term goal.  The final deadline is my 36th birthday.  That is a year and a half away.  This is a very realistic time frame.  It works out to about 1 lb a week. Milestones I want to meet on the way to this long term goal include the following: Lose 20 lbs by the end of the year (1.33 lbs a week); Lose 35 lbs by my birthday (works out to 1.4 lbs a week.); Lose 50 lbs by Sept 2015 (1 lb a week); and make the final goal of the 80 lbs by March 17 2016.  This is so doable.  I just have to believe it. I have always had doubts when I tried to lose weight before. Believing it will help me with the changes I need to make. 
  2. Go from single to in a happy committed relationship  - This goal is a tricky one.  I don't know that I can put a time limit on love. What I can do is have a goal for how many dates I'd like to go on.  I will use my birthday ( which is in 6 months) as a time frame.  Over the next 6 months I'd like to go on 15 dates.  That is a lot of dating for me.  This will not guarantee I'll find Mr. Joy Chaser.  It will guarantee that I learn more about what I want and don't want in a man, and that I get to know some new guys and/or get to know the guys I already know better.  If there is someone you'd like me to meet just let me know as I am up for blind dates.  :-)  A sub goal related to dating from my action plan was to make a list of the things I want and don't want in a man.  I am giving myself until Halloween to complete the list.  
  3. Have more fun - This is an ongoing goals so there is no end date.When I came up with the action plan the timeline was built in.  The plan is to have at least 1 fun activity planned for the weekend by Wednesday of every week.  The other part of the action plan was to create a go to list of fun activities that I can do with or without friends. Have you noticed that I like making lists?  LOL.  The due date for the fun activities list is also going to be Halloween.  So I'll have two lists due on that holiday.
  4. Writing the 1st draft of my Chasing Joy book - I have never written a book before so I don't know what a realistic timeline is like.  I have heard of some other bloggers creating e-books over a few days.  That is very unrealistic for me.  I want my book to be of quality and substance and from the heart.  What I will do is commit to giving you guys a monthly check in stating words/ pages/ and chapters written.  After a few months I will revisit and create a new time line.
This is the end of the SMART Goals. goal setting process.  However, it really is just the beginning.  Now that I have a solid foundation now is the time to do the hard work toward accomplishing these goals.  I'll be using the Law of Attraction as a tool and continuing to talk about it here.  I'd love to hear about what goals you are working on.  Feel free to share in the comments.  Also you can share and update every week using the hashtag #MakeItHappenMonday.  
What goals are you working on? What do you think of my timeliness?  I'd love your advice.