Kamara Marsh

Since moving to Northern Michigan near the shores of Lake Huron, I’ve become fascinated with water and boats. I went to a sailboat race shortly after moving up here and was intrigued to see how the boats navigated the winds and water. I spoke with an owner of a sailboat who explained to me how sails work, and how they determine the direction that the boat goes in.

People are like sailboats — they need something to set their course in life. Developing goals helps do this. Otherwise, we aimlessly wander through life and won’t achieve much.

I’ve set goals every year since 1988. I usually reach about three-fourths of them, more than I would have if I didn’t set any at all. Goals help me feel invested and help me be more productive. I’m more confident and assured when I am moving forward in life and not falling prey to becoming stagnant and stuck.

I follow the S.M.A.R.T. goal format developed by George T. Doran in 1981. It’s an acronym used to help people develop goals that they will be more likely to achieve. It goes as follows.

Your goals need to be:

SPECIFIC — What do you want to achieve?

MEASURABLE — How will you measure your progress?

ACHIEVABLE — Will you be able to complete the goal in the time that you allotted?

RELEVANT — Does the goal align with your values and overall vision for your life?

TIME-BOUND — How long will it take you to reach your goal?

I develop goals in multiple areas of my life including spiritual, personal, health, family, household, career, and financial. (You can adjust the categories according to your individual needs.) Then, I evenly disperse my goals throughout a 12-month calendar. I make sure I write them down and put them in a place where I will see them on a regular basis. I also schedule quarterly check-ins to review my progress and make adjustments as needed.

Goals are important. They give you a sense of direction. Writing them down creates a map to your destination. This gives you a clear idea of where you want to go, what you want to achieve, and what it’s going to take to get there. They give you something to focus on. Writing down your goals holds you accountable and motivates you.

The title of my column is “Thinking Outside the Box.” My aim for every article I write is to get you, the reader, to step outside your personal comfort zone and to stretch yourself a little further than what you’re accustomed to. My Hope is that this year is your best one ever. Making tangible goals may help you achieve that. Happy New Year!

Kamara Marsh is a Michigan-made Licensed Professional Counselor and award-winning artist from East Lansing now residing in Alpena, where she combines her gifts of art and healing to reach the world, one person at a time. She can be reached at kamaramarsh333@gmail.com.