the “smart” advice that's actually NOT smart at all

Because it actually causes you to NOT hit your goals… Every time I talk about goals, someone - without fail - will tell me… “Yeah, you should use ‘SMART’ goals!” (In case you need a reminder, SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.) And then I have to bite my tongue to not respond with a snarky comment. Because setting goals that are A(chievable) and T(ime-bound) are anything but SMART in my book. First of all, who’s to say what’s “achievable?” When I started my first online business, I didn’t personally know any entrepreneurs. Based on what I knew, especially if I’d listened to my friends and family, even getting one client wasn’t realistic or “achievable.” Much less crossing 6- or 7-figures in business. Second, why would you want to “time-bound” your goals? I mean, come on…the very definition of “bound” is “to limit!” And that’s exactly what setting time-bound goals does. What do you do if you don’t reach your goal within that time limit? Do you give up? Do you freak out? Do you assume that you’re not cut out for entrepreneurship? (Unfortunately, the answer is “yes” for many aspiring entrepreneurs.) And even if you set a goal and hit it in that amount of time, who’s to say that you couldn’t have hit it sooner if you hadn’t bound the time? I personally prefer to set a goal that I aim to hit, well,…as soon as possible. And if it takes longer? I’ll keep at it until it’s done. Even more importantly though, here’s the real reason why I don’t think SMART goals are that smart at all: They completely miss the point. Because the truth is: You don’t hit your goals because of how you set them. You hit them because of who you ARE. Think about it… I bet there’s at least one area in your life where you have complete confidence that you always get what you want, right? Maybe your “thing” is that you always get the job, salary, or promotion. Or maybe you’re the one who always wins at games. Or maybe you’re the athletic person in your family. Or maybe you’re the baby who everyone spoils. Or maybe you’re the “smart” one who always got good grades. And that’s why it was easy for you to hit those goals. Because they aligned with how you saw yourself. The same is true for entrepreneurship: To succeed as an entrepreneur, you have to first become the successful entrepreneur. Or at least see yourself as one. How do you do that? I’ll tell you tomorrow. Luisa Zhou [Facebook]( [YouTube]( [Instagram]( [Unsubscribe]( Zhou Ventures, Inc. P.O. Box 2545 New York, New York 10163-2545 United States