Let’s explore why SMART Goals are only a part of the picture, introduce the other critical piece, add a couple that I’ve learned over the years are essential to achieving whatever you want in life, and then see what makes your ClearPath goals so much easier to hit.

SMART Goals became popular because they provide clarity, accountability, and measurable direction. They sound like the perfect solution, especially in business and education settings.

But here’s the question few people ask:

What if we’re creating beautifully structured SMART goals… out of goals that never should have been chosen in the first place?

We put effort into shaping, refining, and measuring goals that may not truly belong to us.

Goals that don’t connect with our values.
Goals that don’t inspire us.
Goals that don’t truly matter.

​That missing step matters far more than we’re led to believe.
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"Isn’t the R in SMART relevant, supposed to make sure they align with my values and long-term goals?!”

Well, yes. That is the idea. The theory. It certainly doesn’t seem to be working.

According to BetterHelp, when considering New Year’s Resolutions, one study found that 77% of resolutioners kept their pledge for one week, but only 19% had maintained their goal at the 2 year mark!

And I guarantee you the most common framework used to set and achieve these resolutions is the SMART Framework.

Because it’s the most widely used framework out there!

This suggests that while SMART Goals provide a useful structure, they may miss critical elements necessary for true success.

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” – Tony Robbins.

​Until you have a goal, a deadline, a plan, and a process, your goal is just a dream. It’s a vision in your mind that is not tangible, can’t be seen clearly by anyone else, and doesn’t exist in the real world.
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SMART goals are a great way to check your goals, but they aren’t a great way to set them.

Consider Jane, a marketing professional who set a SMART goal to increase her company’s social media engagement by 20% within six months.

Despite her efforts, she found herself unmotivated and burned out.

The problem? The goal, while specific and measurable, didn’t align with her personal passion for creative content development. They focused solely on the result of her goal, not on the process to get there.

​Her passion is around the process of creating content, not the outcome of creating it. Had she made a few small shifts and focused on the right part of her goal, she likely would have easily achieved it.

Before making your goals specific, measurable, and time-bound, you must ensure they are truly YOUR goals—ones that you care about deeply, are committed to achieving, and have the resources to achieve, even when the going gets tough.

This is where the ClearPath Goal-Setting framework comes in. It integrates the principles of NLP Well-Formed Outcomes with the SMART framework to create a more holistic approach to goal setting.

The importance of connecting your goal to your vision, ensuring it fits with your values and priorities, and that you can obsess over reaching your goal are keys to setting goals you can achieve.

It’s often in the nuance that things get lost or overlooked.

“Your goals are the road maps that guide you and show you what is possible for your life.” – Les Brown

Let’s take the example of the first time I ever did a half-marathon. My goal was two fold. I was running with Team in Training to raise funds for Leukemia research. This cause was very dear to me because LLS had been incredibly helpful to my family aand I when my dad was diagnoses with a rare form.

Anyway, my goal…raise the required funds and ocmplete the marathon.

I did exactly that. I raised the funds I was required to, exactly, and I completed the marathon.

I didn’t understand,, though…I kept waiting for that runner’s high to hit when I crossed the finish line—the one they always tell you about.
And it never came.

Never.

My goal sucked (it was about completing, not about enjoying, learning, being engaged, or anything else with an emotional connection…just about completing)

I wasn’t emotionally invested in my goal. Even though I cared deeply about the cause, I hadn’t emotionally invested in the process to get there.

Lost opportunity. I could have gotten so much more!

You can achieve a goal and still feel unfulfilled.
You can build a SMART goal and still burn out.
You can work hard and still feel disconnected.

That isn’t a motivation problem.
It’s a planning problem.

And it’s exactly why I created the ClearPath Goal-Setting Framework.

ClearPath blends elements of NLP Well-Formed Outcomes with the SMART process to create something more holistic—goals rooted in alignment, emotional investment, clarity, and personal meaning. Goals that don’t just look good in a planner, but feel good in real life.

Because when your goals are truly yours, you don’t have to drag yourself toward them. You’re naturally pulled forward.

A study published by the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine found that individuals who set goals aligned with their intrinsic values were more likely to achieve them than those who set goals based on extrinsic motivations.

​Come back Wednesday for the next installment, where I will share the missing part of goal setting and build you a map for setting goals you will know you can crush!
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This is Part One.

Next, we’ll dig into the missing piece that most goal-setting frameworks ignore—the emotional and psychological layer that determines whether a goal truly sticks.

We’ll explore how to create ClearPath goals that:
You believe in.
You feel connected to.
You know you can achieve.

And we’ll walk through how to build them.

If you’re ready to move beyond check-the-box goals and start leading with clarity, alignment, and impact, the Core Impact Leadership Program is your next step.

Learn proven strategies to set goals that stick, unlock your leadership potential, and create lasting change.