On April 23th, at the first ideaXchange meeting of 2010, we discussed setting goals for the year and keeping the group updated on our progress.  We also talked about using the SMART Goal criteria and what that means.  SMART Goals are:

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Time-Based

For example, my SMART Goal is to add 20 new monthly clients by the end of 2010.  I’ve also created a “New Client Target Countdown” tear-off pad to track our progress.  Each time we sign on a new client, my Administrative Assistant and I tear off another sheet.  It’s a lot of fun to watch the numbers go down and to know exactly where we stand on our progress.

At each meeting, we talk about our SMART Goal progress, establish a new SMART Goal if necessary, and offer each other support and feedback on accomplishing our SMART Goals.

We’ll email an update on each member’s progress through the Google group after our monthly meeting (rather than posting details here).  Please feel free to send your own update as you make progress toward your SMART Goal!

We are all holding each other accountable, which should provide excellent motivation for accomplishing our goals.  If you haven’t yet created a SMART Goal for us to track, get crackin’!  You can forward the details to Jenni or me when you’re ready.

Side note: Because it’s so much fun to say (and because “SMART Goal,” when not carefully enunciated, can be difficult to interpret) you may see us referring to our “Smarkles.”  Say it aloud.  It really is fun!  Especially at a meeting in front of the group.

Here’s to accomplishing our SMARKLES!