Commentary: Be SMART and ignore diversions along the way

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Success is achieving a goal you have set. Think of it as a straight single-lane road with two-story buildings on both sides. You are the only one on this road, and your goal is getting to the finish line. You can go as fast or as slow as you want. However, there are many who live in these buildings, always encouraging you to deviate from your goal. Much of the problem is that we do not set SMART goals, that is, our goals need to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.

There are co-workers who think you are working too hard and you should slow down while other inhabitants recommend you pile other tasks on your journey. You are trying to get out of debt and you have a plan but someone convinced you that you just had to have a new car. Frankly, piling on more debt is never a good idea. That junk mail you get daily and the constant barrage of TV commercials all want your hard-earned money. No one can make you do anything, you are in control and you decide.

In 1991, I found that BRAC could close McClellan Air Force Base, Calif. I had many credit cards, large car payments, an expensive mortgage, and the prospect I may not have a job much longer. I wrote a goal to be debt-free (except for the mortgage) with a small savings in place by the time the base closed. It was a SMART goal. In 2000, McClellan closed. I was blessed to get a position at Hill AFB and to be totally debt-free with a small savings.

Some buildings are inhabited by supervisors, mentors and parents who will tell you about the pits in the roads and about the people that reside in those other buildings. Many are prepared to advise you, encourage you, explain what it takes to get to the finish line and what will keep you from getting there. You should seek these inhabitants out; they tend to be in successful offices and are extremely busy. The really good ones will be willing to listen and give you good advice. I would recommend you listen to them, write down what they tell you and add it to your plan.

A few years back, I realized I was getting closer to retirement, so I set a new goal to be able to maintain the same level of lifestyle when I retire. I've done a lot of reading, listening to others who recently retired and then hired myself a financial planner. Currently I am on track to achieve this goal, too.

If your goal is to lose weight, these buildings could be restaurants offering free food samples, alluring TV commercials or the aroma of fantastic food entrees. However, you don't have to accept.

Last year, in an article I asked, "Are you taking stock of where you are healthwise?" -- but realized I needed to lose a few pounds and exercise more. I wrote myself another goal to lose 70 pounds in one year. I decided I needed to follow a proven eating plan and slowly add exercise -- a change in lifestyle. I pulled off into the Weight Watchers' building and found some people who could encourage and mentor me along the way. I had to study what kinds of food would help me reduce weight and which of those I liked to eat. I found professionals to guide me in my exercise plan and joined a Wing Loser's Club and the AFMC Wellness plan. I tried their advice and added it to my plan. I picked up square dancing and round dancing along the way. No one said that exercise could not be fun.

Well, I am here to tell you it worked and I lost a few pounds.

Thankfully, the journey can be enjoyable and you can be guaranteed to reach the finish line but only if you ask yourself two questions: Is your goal SMART? Are the actions you are taking getting you closer to your goal?

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