Gents Journey
Gents Journey
Turning Dreams Into Reality: Mastering the Art of SMART Goal Setting
Are you ready to turn your dreams into reality with the power of goal setting? On this episode of the Gentleman's Journey podcast, I, Anthony, promise to guide you through the art of transforming aspirations into achievable outcomes. Discover how the simple act of writing down your goals can increase your likelihood of success by 42%, as we explore the crucial difference between dreaming and achieving. From defining a clear vision of success to using visualization techniques akin to a professional athlete's game plan, this episode is packed with insights on how structured planning can lead to substantial achievements.
Join me as we dissect the essentials of setting SMART goals, making sure they resonate with your personal values and long-term vision. We'll tackle the pitfalls of unattainable goals and highlight the satisfaction that comes from aligning objectives with your core beliefs. Through practical examples like fitness and writing goals, you'll learn how breaking down your ambitions into micro-goals can create momentum and consistent wins. We'll also delve into the importance of a supportive accountability system and avoiding negative influences. This episode is your call to action—take up the challenge to turn your big dreams into SMART goals, one actionable micro step at a time, and make 2025 your year to shine.
"True mastery is found in the details. The way you handle the little things defines the way you handle everything."
Hello and welcome to the Gentleman's Journey podcast. My name is Anthony, your host, and today we're going to talk about something that when you start to do this the dreams that you have they not only become tangible and real, but you actually start to achieve them. And if you don't have this, you really are just a glorified daydreamer. Now, what is this that I'm talking about today? We're talking about goals. We're talking about goal setting, so let's go ahead and let's talk about it all, right Now, here's the thing Everyone has dreams, right, but there's this big differentiator with people that have dreams and people that are accomplishing their dreams is that the people that are accomplishing their dreams is that the people that are accomplishing their dreams. They turn their dreams into reality, and the reason why they turn their dreams into reality is because they take the time to break down their dreams and turn their dreams into actual, tangible steps. How many times have you talked to somebody where it's like oh man, I'm going to go do this, or oh man, I'm going to do that. You talk to them six months later oh man, I'm going to do this, or oh man, I'm going to do that. It's the same thing again and again and again, right. And the reason why they keep dreaming but they don't take action is because they haven't broken down their dream into actionable, tangible steps. You know, because here's the thing, and this is something I've learned I've learned that there's a difference between wishing for something and achieving it, and that is, you have to have clarity of your goals and then you have to plan to make them happen. Right? Because, again, if you are just dreaming for your life to change, but you don't take any action towards them, your life is never going to change. It's just going to be the same thing over and over and over again. And you know what they call that. They call that the definition of insanity, right, doing the same thing and expecting a different result. Remember that, right? So the biggest thing here that I want to talk about in today's episode is that we're going to really dive into goal setting, but we're going to dive in a goal setting that actually works, and by the end of this, you'll know how to turn your dreams into something real, step by step.
Speaker 1:Okay, so, when we're talking about goal setting, right, here's why goals work. The first thing that it does it provides focus and direction to what it is that you're doing right. The second thing is is that it breaks down your goals, and sometimes your goals can be really big and very overwhelming. But once you have this dream right, you break it down in the goals, then you break it down in the manageable steps right. And then, once you do that, you create a sense of purpose and progress. Because here's the thing when you have a sense of purpose and progress, like I was just talking about, you now start to do things right. Because here's the key thing I need you to understand A dream without a plan is just a wish.
Speaker 1:That's it. You're just wishing for things to happen, right. You're just wishing for your life to change. If you're not taking any steps towards your life to change, if you're not setting goals right and achieving your goals, a lot of times your life doesn't add meaning right, and if your life doesn't add meaning, this is where we get into burnout, this is where we get into frustration, this is where we get into all these different things that are negative right. Because here's the thing, like I was saying, when you have a sense of purpose right and you're turning your goals into manageable steps right or your dreams into manageable steps, I should say, and you can start to see your progress. Guess what happens? Like I said, you do it right Because here's what studies show, as we're talking about, this happens. Like I said, you do it right Because here's what studies show.
Speaker 1:As we're talking about this, studies show people with written goals are 42% more likely to achieve them. 42% that means if you write your goals down, you're almost what? 42%. So you're what? At a third at least of having the ability to do it. Think about that. Think about that. That's massive. If you were to do this like, say, compared to, let's say, basketball right, and you could hit 42% of the time of your threes, you'd be better than Steph Curry could hit 42% of the time of your threes. You'd be better than Steph Curry If you could hit 42% of the you know. Say, you're playing baseball and you hit the ball 42% of the time, you'd be the best hitter of all time. That's how big of a difference it is, just by writing this down. Remember that, right? So I know I'm really hyped up today.
Speaker 1:So now, as we're talking about this, let's go into the five steps of goal setting. Right Now, when you're starting with any goal, you have to have a clear vision. Okay, define what success looks like for you. And the thing about this is there's no right or wrong answer of what success looks like for you, because success is going to look different for you than it will be for me, than it will be for your friend, than it would be for your girlfriend, your wife, your husband, your boyfriend, whoever. It's going to look different for them and it's going to look different for you. Only you can determine your success. Only you know what success looks like to you.
Speaker 1:Okay, now, once you have you defined your success, you have that definition of success in your mind. Next thing you're going to do is a visualization exercise. I'm huge on visualization. Right, imagine it's a year from now, okay, and everything that you've wanted has come true. What does your life look like? Let's sit there and think about that for a second as I take a drink. What does it look like? What does it look like? What does it look like Now?
Speaker 1:Once you've done that, write your dream or that vision down in as much detail as possible. The more detailed the better, because the more detail that you can give it, the realer it becomes for you. Okay, now.
Speaker 1:Next, this is step two. Okay, break down your vision or your dream into what they call SMART goals. Now let me tell you what SMART goal stands for. Smart goal stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound SMART. Okay, so let's break down smart. The S in smart stands for specific. Like I just said, what is exactly do you want to achieve? What is it exactly that you want to achieve? Write that down Measurable. How are you going to track your progress? Write that down Achievable.
Speaker 1:This is probably one of the most important things in a SMART goal. Is this realistic for your current circumstances? If you're somebody who is trying to achieve to be a billion dollars I want to be a billionaire by six months the likelihood of that happening is pretty much zero, right? So because you didn't achieve that within that timeframe and it's not achievable, you're not going to do it right, and you're going to get frustrated and say this doesn't work. Well, you got to kind of reel it in a little bit, okay.
Speaker 1:Now next thing and this is also very important Does this align with your values and long-term vision? Because here's the thing Sometimes you know when people are doing goals like, oh, I want to make a million dollars, I want to make, you know, 100 grand a month or these kind of things, right? Sometimes, the only opportunities you have available to make that kind of money are not things that are going to align with your values or long-term vision. Right, that's what is so important about this is that this has to align with who you are. Right, has to align with who you are. That's so important. So many people get lost in that. Don't lose yourself in that. Okay, make sure whatever it is that you're doing aligns with your values and long-term vision.
Speaker 1:Now, next and last, is time bound. When will you accomplish this? This is where you hold your own feet to the fire and you hold yourself accountable. Right, because you give yourself timelines, so that way, you're constantly moving forward and everything you're doing is with intention. Right, because you have a time that you've set on this. You will be amazed how much you can do when not only you push yourself, but when you hold yourself to a time. I'm going to do it in this time and you really do it. You'll realize that the only thing that has ever held you back is you.
Speaker 1:Okay, now I'll give you an example of this. So to kind of bring this all together, let's say I want to get fit right. Instead of saying that, say this I'll exercise three times a week for 30 minutes a day by March 1st. So you know exactly what it is that you want to achieve. You want to get fit right. You know how you're going to track your progress, because you're going to be doing it 30 minutes a day, right? Is it realistically and achievable? Yeah, everybody can find 30 minutes in their day to. Is it realistically and achievable? Yeah, everybody can find 30 minutes in their day to work out three times a week, right? Does this align with your values and long-term vision? Yes, being healthy should align with your long-term vision and values. Okay, and when are you gonna accomplish this? By March 1st. There you go. Simple and effective. Now.
Speaker 1:Next, we want to create micro goals. Okay, breaking your big goals into smaller, actionable steps. There's a saying that well, actually, actually there's two sayings that I always hear when I hear this. Right? The first is you know how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time, right? Or there's a nursery rhyme where it goes inch by inch makes it a cinch, right? Think about that. So you're gonna break down your vision into big goals, your big goals into micro goals, because remember things that are you break it down into something that's smaller and actionable. You're building momentum, and we'll talk more about that here in a minute.
Speaker 1:Now, here's the thing. Let's say, for an example. Now, here's the thing. Let's say, for an example you say I want to write a book and then you think to yourself like, oh my gosh, a book on average is what? 175 to 225 pages. You know how am I going to do that? Because we think about we're going to do it all in one setting. Right, that doesn't happen. It does not happen, right.
Speaker 1:But instead of saying write a book, say it this way I'm going to outline the chapters. Once I outline the chapters, then I'm going to write one page a day and I'm going to edit a chapter a week. Think about that. Say you do eight, nine pages. Let's say you just do seven pages and then at the end of the week, on that seventh page, you now wrote a chapter. Because you know a chapter could be anywhere between seven to what? 20, well, I guess you know if you're reading Harry Potter, it'd be like 40 pages.
Speaker 1:But you know, when you're doing that, when you break it down into actionable steps, it becomes easier. Because here's the thing Small wins create momentum that carries you forward. Right, remember how we talked about consistency builds momentum. We've talked about it on the podcast before. It carries you. Momentum is the best thing you could ever do for yourself. Because here's the thing Momentum does one or two things. It either pushes you back or carries you forward, and that's all based on the decisions that you make. Just remember that Now.
Speaker 1:Next, we're going to build a system of accountability. Okay, now this can get tricky, and let me tell you what I mean by that. I would say share your goals with someone who's going to hold you accountable. Now, let me just preface this as well Don't share your goals with someone who is negative, who doesn't give a crap about you, who doesn't want to see you successful, who doesn't want to see you achieve these things. Right. Do not share that with them, because you're only shooting yourself in the foot, especially if you're just starting this.
Speaker 1:Okay, there's a ton of accountability groups out there. On Facebook, you know, you could follow people on Instagram, there's groups that you could do there's, you know. There's YouTube video groups. There's stuff on I don't know. All these other messaging platforms that you can work with. Right? Or, worst case scenario. If you don't want to work with any of those individuals, you have all my information here and I'll give it to you at the end of the episode.
Speaker 1:You can do it with me. I will be more than happy to hold you accountable. Be more than happy to, because here's the thing being accountable now is the most easy thing to do in the world. Right now, we live in the easiest time to do that. You want to know why. There's habit trackers, there's apps that'll help you do it right.
Speaker 1:You can log in a journal. I use Notion for a lot of stuff. You can use Notion for your journaling. Or you can just get paper and write it down. You can go to a dollar store and get journals right and get pens for nothing.
Speaker 1:Because here's the thing Accountability. It turns your intentions into commitments, and we don't miss our commitments. We don't miss our commitments. Okay, I'll say that again Accountability turns intentions into commitments. Remember that. Okay, now, here's the thing too.
Speaker 1:As you're going through this, regularly review and adjust if need be. Okay, set aside time each week to review your progress. Then, at the end of the month, review your whole month and then get ready for your next month. We're not talking about hours and hours and hours, realistically, for what I do, like, when I'm planning out my podcast, when I'm planning out what I'm going to talk about, I do it all in about two hours. That's it, and that's in one sitting. Or I could do it 30 minutes every week, right, but I'm telling you, when something is important enough to you, you will do whatever you can to make sure you accomplish it. And taking that small amount of time out of your month to do something that is going to put you ahead of everybody else, something that is going to put you ahead of everybody else, no one's going to do it, but you Just remember that.
Speaker 1:So, as you're going through this right, as you're reviewing and as you're adjusting, ask yourself, hey, what's working right now? What's not working? What do I need to change? And as I say this, I'm going to tell you this right now Goals are not written in stone. Goals evolve with you. So do not be afraid to adjust your goals as you grow. Okay, don't be afraid of that.
Speaker 1:Now here's the next thing. Goals should be emotional to you. Goals should be tied to your. Why, if they're tied to your? Why they are more likely to be successful. Okay, why they are more likely to be successful. Okay, because here's the thing once you tie it to your why, it ties it to your vision of who you are, what it is that you want to accomplish and the things that you want to do in your life.
Speaker 1:Right, because when you have that, like, how is this goal going to make me feel Like? Reflect on that. What is making a million dollars a year? What is that going to feel like? Or what is it going to be when I'm debt-free? Or what is it going to feel like when I'm down 20, 30 pounds? What is that going to feel like?
Speaker 1:Right, because here's the thing when you start feeling that two things come up resistance right, that two things come up Resistance right the fear of failure comes up, or actually the fear of you achieving it. I know that sounds crazy, but it's the truth, and more people are acceptant of not how can I say of failing than succeeding. It's actually scarier for you to succeed, right, if you're not used to success. And the reason why I bet, is because you have to become a different person, and you've lied to yourself over all these years saying I don't need to become a different person, I'm going to be the same, blah, blah, blah. No, you want to achieve greatness, you have to become great yourself. That's just the rule. There's no way around that. And here's the thing, as we're talking about that, when you're starting small and you start to achieve these wins, it stymies that being overwhelmed, right, because that's really the resistance. And then what happens is when you're starting small and you start achieving these things, it just becomes normal to you. So a lot of times that resistance doesn't even come up a majority of the time because you're just used to doing it. You know what I mean. So think about that Now.
Speaker 1:The next thing is achieving goals and achieving your dream and having a clear vision and focus. It does this one thing for you it builds your confidence. Confidence is key in this whole thing. How many times have you seen people just walk into a room and just light it up? It's just ease to them, right? They walk in, talk to people, bright smile on their face. They just walk in with confidence, right? Or that one person is like man. They just know they can achieve anything and they do because they're confident. Confidence is keys to you. The biggest key to your success is just being confident.
Speaker 1:Okay, because here's the thing like in the beginning of me starting this podcast, I was super nervous. I mean I'd had this whole thing like written out and I'd be trying to follow a script and these kind of things. Now I just bullet point and just talk off the top of my head. That takes confidence, but it took time to get there. Okay, because here's the thing. I'm going to be honest with you. When you can prove to yourself that you can follow through, everything becomes possible. At that point, everything I'm going to tell you.
Speaker 1:Right now, probably 70-80% of people out there do not achieve their goals and they don't have goals written down. And everything goes to the 30% that do, because they prove that they can follow through. They prove that they can do it. They have what are called the receipts Right that they can do it. They have what are called the receipts right that they can do it. Remember, this is your year. This is your year. This year, you get to become that 30%. If you follow this, I promise Okay.
Speaker 1:So, as we're talking about that, this is my challenge to you Write down one big dream you have. Write it down, turn it into a SMART goal with three micro steps to get you started. Because here's the thing. I need you to understand this as I say this your dreams are valid, they're valid, but it's up to you to make them real. Because here's the thing Clarity creates focus, and focus creates results, creates results.
Speaker 1:So I know, I know I was, yeah, I was really happy about this today because I love goals, but I want to thank you so much for listening today. I can't tell you how much it means to me and if you have a question on this or anything that we've talked about today, please, please, please, never hesitate to reach out to me. There's three ways and in the description of this podcast, you can hit send me a text. We can text back and forth, no problem. Second way is my email. My email is anthony at gentsjourneycom and, last but not least, you can reach me on Instagram. My Instagram handle is mygentsjourney. Please, please, please, feel free to reach out to me Because, remember, 2025 is your year and remember this you create your reality. Take care Bye.