Benjamin Langley submitted two articles to Echievements.com about goal setting he titled, “Be S.M.A.R.T.: Set Goals! Pt 1” and “Pt 2“. Not much original in the articles. Ben could have written one article on the subject. He does, to his credit, remind readers to stay motivated by getting S.M.A.R.T.

Ben’s articles remind me about A “SMART” memo on my Treo. Neither Ben or I created the “S.M.A.R.T.” acronymn. At the moment, I cannot find the source. However, here is what the originator meant (and Ben catches this somewhat).

• S - Specific
• M - Measurable
• A - Attainable
• R - Realistic
• T - Timed

The author, from whom I learned this acronmyn writes, “If you can’t count it, measure it, or describe it in detail, you probably aren’t clear enough to get it.” (By the way, if you know the author, please post a comment.)

Most of us may overlook the essential impact of getting S.M.A.R.T. Before getting smart, you have to possess a vision derived from your interests, gifts, life-purpose, and talents. Your goal becomes structured, takes form, and gets guided by S.M.A.R.T. steps.

Pursuing goals without finding a vision may lead to missteps. So, where-in-the-world do you find your vision that prompts getting S.M.A.R.T?  Self-reflection, feedback from your education, employment, hobbies, and interests. We all have a spark to do something well, but we give up on it easily. Ben Langley says, “The more vivid the goal is in your mind, the more intensely you feel the motivation to achieve it.” Actually, the more confidently you possess your vision, the more likely you will take S.M.A.R.T. steps to make it happen.

Thanks Ben Langley for prompting these thoughts.

Is “echieve” a typo? Nope! Every achievement worth significance comes from acting on your most creative expression. Most of us have left creative expression in the sandbox or on the desk of our second grade classroom.

Our kindergarten teacher and elementary school art teacher let us make anything we could think of. We painted with fingers, pasted weird figures, and turned the images of our young minds into refrigerator masterpieces. We did it so well, our teacher let us head on to the next grade.

Do you remember your kindergarten class? Most likely, you have forgotten. Ask to visit the kindergarten classroom in your community. I did; bright green and yellow walls, pictures on the walls, yellow footprints on the floor, colors hanging from the ceiling with rugs on the floor. Fish, gerbils, guinea pigs, and parakeets fed and watched. Everyone is expected to talk and laugh, and sit on the floor for “circle time” with a feast of milk and graham crackers.

On Parent night, I visit my son and daughter’s classroom. Two posters on the wall, drab green paint, dreary gray tile, with desks in neat rows. Everyone is expected to stay at their desk, talk when given permission, and never talk to their classmate during class. They seldom get “circle time”, and cookies and milk are for special occasions.

Sir Kenneth Robinson says “creativity is one of the casualties of education”. As we age, we abandon creative thinking; we might do something wrong, or “step out of line”. Robinson reminds us that “children are not afraid of mistakes”. No one has told them to be quiet; they are cute, and every idea is special.

As we grow older (not the same as maturing), our eccentricities and off-the-wall ideas get squelched. We are told to “get in line”, “behave”, “do what you are told or you won’t succeed.

Cultures suffer when wet blankets are thrown over creative fires and passions. Committees seek solutions within tightly constructed protocols. Bringing groups together for “no holds-barred” brainstorming happens rarely in business, community, or family. Where childhood imagination prevails, ideas flourish. You can learn more from Alberta S. Johnson’s article Creative Kids Make Intelligent Adults: A Must In The Business World

Given the social, economic, political, and ecological problems confronting us, encouraging creative thinking or “outside the box” ideas should be taught, encouraged, and rewarded. Remembering how to think creatively challenges all of us.

Picasso said, “All children are born artists”. Robinson says, “The problem is to remain artists as we grow-up.” Listen to his humorous insights here (I’ve heard him speak: his content is plugged with belly-rolling humor). Sir Kenneth Robinson explains how to get those creative juices flowing in his book Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative

Creative thinking solves problems with some concurrent challenges. The Flowing River blog delves into these issues with helpful insights.

You can evaluate your creative strengths by taking the free 40 question assessment of your creative ability.  CREAX.com provides the 40 questions for “your level of creativity”.  Questions help us find answers, and this series of questions could be life-changing for you.