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SMART Goal Setting

How are you doing on your financial goals so far?

Financial goals  provide us with vision and direction to help us to become better stewards. They grant purpose, help us see progress and ultimately help us feel better about our life.

To change an old habit, you must create a new one. Those who’ve been successful understand three important things:

  1. Success encourages us to stay the course.
  2. Tracking progress motivates us to continue. 
  3. Realistic, attainable steps with built in rewards are validating.

SMART is an easy-to-remember acronym mnemonic device for goal-setting. S-M-A-R-T: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-Bound. Businesses have used this method to create management goals since the early ‘80s.

So, write down your SMART financial goals and recruit someone to hold you accountable. Setbacks are bound to occur which is why you need to celebrate the victories and seek God’s help when you’re tempted to give up.

Be Specific so you track your progress. For example, if you want to save $1,000 in an emergency fund this year, set up a monthly $100 automatic transfer to a special account and you’ll achieve that goal by November!  

Be Patient – developing new habits takes time, which is why the support of a friend, or mentor is important.

Save (don’t spend) your tax refunds, bonuses, or cash gifts. Apply them to debt, savings or investments after your tithe.

You may need to adjust your budget, open new accounts or make lifestyle changes. So, schedule weekly and monthly dates to review your progress.

Above all, seek the help of the Lord who made heaven and earth. He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weary. Ask Him to bless your efforts and thank Him every step of the way!

And, you can achieve your goals the SMART way!

Here is  a smart goal for the new year… enroll in the online Money Life Personal Finance Course. In just 7 weeks you will have a plan to dramatically improve your financial health. Find out more at crown.org or call our Crown Help Line @ 800 722 1976.