The Power of Feeling Goals, Why Emotions Matter as Much as SMART Goals

Setting goals is an essential aspect of personal growth and development. While traditional goals often revolve around measurable outcomes, there is another dimension to goal-setting called “feeling goals.” In this article, we will explore the concept of feeling goals alongside the well-known SMART goals framework. By understanding how to balance both types of goals, you can enhance your overall well-being and sense of fulfillment.

What are SMART Goals?

The concept of SMART goals originated in the 1980s and gained popularity as a result of its effectiveness in goal-setting and project management. The acronym SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. The underlying thought process behind SMART goals was to provide a structured framework that would enhance the chances of goal attainment. This is a quick tangible video with examples of smart goals!

Specific: Specific and well-defined. They provide clarity and focus, ensuring that you know exactly what you want to achieve. For instance, a traditional goal could be “working out three times per week.”

Measurable: Allowing you to track your progress. By setting clear parameters, you can determine whether you are moving closer to achieving your desired outcome. For example, you can measure your workouts by the number of minutes or repetitions completed.

Achievable: Realistic and attainable. They consider your capabilities, resources, and time constraints. This aspect helps you set goals that are within your reach, preventing frustration and disappointment.

Relevant: Rlevant to your overall aspirations and align with your values and long-term objectives. They contribute to your personal growth and bring you closer to your desired future.

Time-bound: Have a specific timeline or deadline. This time constraint motivates you to take action and prevents procrastination. It also helps you prioritize tasks and allocate your resources effectively.

The Concept of Feeling Goals:

While we love SMART goals in many situations, in some they just aren’t the best measurement. This is where we bring in the concept of “Feeling Goals”. Feeling goals transcend the need for quantifiable outcomes. Instead, they focus on the emotional experience associated with achieving a desired state. Take, for instance, the goal of establishing routine and schedule flow and consistency. Unlike setting specific targets for workouts or waking up times, the emphasis is on feeling in flow and consistency. Similarly, in parenting, feeling goals may involve helping a child feel in control of their emotions while also fostering their enjoyment and sense of empowerment. These feeling goals cannot be easily measured, nor is it necessary to do so. They are about nurturing the emotions and subjective experiences that contribute to our overall well-being and fulfillment.

Going beyond measurement: Feeling goals acknowledge that some objectives cannot be easily quantified. Instead of focusing on concrete results, feeling goals prioritize the emotional experience and subjective satisfaction associated with an outcome.

Flow and consistency: One example of a feeling goal is establishing routine and schedule flow and consistency. Instead of setting specific targets like working out a certain number of times per week, this feeling goal emphasizes the desire to experience a state of being in flow and consistent.

Emotional well-being: Feeling goals can also extend to areas such as relationships, parenting, and personal development. For instance, a feeling goal in parenting could involve helping your child feel in control of their emotions while also providing tools and guidance for their growth.

Balancing Measurement and Emotion:

Identifying the right balance: While SMART goals provide structure and focus, feeling goals contribute to overall satisfaction and well-being. Striking a balance between the two is essential for holistic personal growth.

Combining approaches: Consider incorporating elements of both SMART goals and feeling goals into your goal-setting process. Start by defining your SMART goals for measurable outcomes, and then complement them with feeling goals that emphasize your emotional experience and personal fulfillment. Here is a guide from our filing cabinet to set your intentions for the month!

Whatever your goals are the resources in our filing cabinet can help you start today for free! Dive in here to get support! Setting goals is a dynamic process that involves considering various aspects of personal growth. While SMART goals provide structure and measurability, feeling goals focus on subjective experiences and emotional well-being. By embracing both approaches, you can foster a more comprehensive and fulfilling journey toward personal growth. Remember, achieving your goals is not solely about measurable results; it’s also about the positive feelings and emotions that accompany your accomplishments.

Ready to set smart and emotional goals and be supported? Dive into the Momma Has Goals community!