You've Been Lied to About SMART Goals - Part 2
Last time we talked about SMART goals and why they don’t work
Well, ok, it’s not that they don’t work. (I can hear you contrarians saying “I’ve been setting SMART goals my whole life…and I’m hitting my goals!”
It’s just that they aren’t the answer to all of our problems when it comes to goal setting and, more importantly, goal getting.
They are a good piece of goal setting. They serve a valuable purpose and should not be discarded.
They alone, however, are not enough to virtually guarantee you can nail your goals. Every. Damn. Time.
So, enough talking about what’s wrong with our common knowledge around goal setting. Ready to talk solutions?
Cool - me too.
Introducing the Clear Path Goal Setting Framework
Imagine having a set of tools that will allow you to set crystal clear goals, set your confidence through the roof on how to get there, and totally create a path for you to follow that will all but guarantee your success.
That’s what the ClearPath™ Goal Setting Framework will do for you.
The ClearPath Goal Setting framework is designed to blend the strengths of two powerful tools: the NLP process of a Well-Formed Outcome and the SMART framework, and blend them with some time tested additions that ensure you know what you’re getting yourself into.
No more sheepishly telling your family you didn’t make it. No more looking yourself in the mirror realizing you’ve disappointed yourself. Again.
Now you can take the proverbial bull by the horns and crush your goals.
Every time.
Ready?
Step 1: NLP Well-Formed Outcome
The first step in the ClearPath framework is to create a Well-Formed Outcome using NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). NLP is a terribly named powerhouse of tools and techniques to get the most out of your best ally…youself.
A Well-Formed Outcome helps you define your goals in a way that is clear, compelling, and ensures you are not missing anything. Here are the steps to create a Well-Formed Outcome:
- State the Goal Positively: Focus on what you want, not what you don’t want. For example, instead of saying “I want to stop procrastinating,” say “I want to complete tasks promptly.”
- Specify the Context: Define where, when, and with whom the goal will be achieved. This makes the goal more concrete and actionable.
- Ensure the Goal is Self-Initiated and Maintained: The goal should depend on your actions, not on others. You need to have control over achieving it.
- State the Goal in Sensory-Based Terms: Describe what you will see, hear, and feel when you achieve the goal. This helps you visualize success. How will you know when you achieve it?
- Check the Goal’s Ecology: Consider the impact of achieving the goal on your life and those around you. Make sure it aligns with your values and long-term vision.
Consider the mom who wants to attend 6 workouts a week at her local gym for the next 3 months. That’s a great goal, it’s specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. But…what about the ecology?
Does it really work, being a mom, to takke the time to drive to the gym, attend class and drive home every day for 6 days?
Does it support other goals, perhaps spending weekends with her husband or being more present when he kids get home from school?
It’s very possible this goal will either not be achieved, or will be dropped as soon as the 3 months is up, if it’s not fully a fit with the Well Formed Outcome framework.
Step 2: SMART Framework
Once you have a Well-Formed Outcome, the next step is to run it through the SMART framework. This involves making your goal:
- Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve. The Well-Formed Outcome will help you with this.
- Measurable: Determine how you will measure progress and know when you’ve achieved the goal.
- Achievable: Ensure the goal is realistic and attainable, given your current resources and constraints.
- Relevant: Make sure the goal is meaningful and aligns with your broader objectives.
- Time-Bound: Set a deadline for achieving the goal to create a sense of urgency and focus.
Step 3: The ClearPath™ Test
Now that you know what your goal is, and you have made sure it’s a SMART goal, it’s time to commit or not.
It’s time for the litmus test. The gut test if you will. The test that will tell you if this goal is the goal, and if you have a clear path to get there. (See what I did there?)
Ok, there are 3 questions I want you to ask yourself before you commit to this goal.
- What are the daily activities you will need to do to reach this goal?
- What will I need to sacrifice to achieve this goal?
- Am I willing to sacrifice that/those things?
Is this goal something I am willing to obsess over?
Not every goal involves great sacrifice. Nor do they all require obsession to achieve them.
But I’ll tell ya what…it will be a Hell of a lot easier to achieve them if you make sure you’re willing to sacrifice what is required, and if you are willing to obsess over achieving the goal.
Integration: Turning Your Goal Into Reality
By following this ClearPath™ Goal Setting Framework you are setting yourself up for success from the beginning.
You are addressing and overcoming obstacles before you even start. You are setting yourself up for success before you take the first step.
This won’t be just another failed goal.
Integration Process:
- Aligning Personal and Practical Aspects: Start by revisiting your Well-Formed Outcome. Ensure it aligns with your core values and long-term vision. Then, apply the SMART criteria to make it specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Finally, run your goal through the ClearPath™ test.
- Detailing the Steps: Look at the daily activities you identified in the ClearPath™ test. Put them in your calendar. If you need to create a new habit, anchor it to an existing one so you will easily remember it, until it becomes habit.
- Monitoring and Adjusting: Keep an eye on your progress. Be honest with yourself. If you are off track, identify the issue and fix it. If you’re on track, celebrate. If you need to pivot, do so. It’s all ok, these are your goals.
Why ClearPath™ Works So Well
The ClearPath Goal Setting framework offers numerous benefits that make it more effective than using the SMART framework alone.
- Higher Motivation: By ensuring your goals are deeply personal and aligned with your values, you stay motivated even when faced with challenges.
- Better Alignment: The framework ensures your goals fit into your long-term vision, making them more relevant and meaningful.
- Improved Clarity: The detailed planning process provides clear, actionable steps, reducing confusion and increasing focus.
- Clear Path to Success: By determining what you are willing to sacrifice before you commit to the goal it is clear and simple to do what’s needed to achieve your goal
- Increased Success Rates: Integrating personal connection with practical structure significantly boosts your chances of achieving your goals.
Research supports the effectiveness of this integrated approach. According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, people who set both personal and structured goals are 33% more likely to achieve them than those who use only one of these approaches.
This underscores the importance of combining personal alignment with practical goal-setting techniques.
By creating goals that are both personally meaningful and practically structured, you build the discipline needed to achieve them.
Final Thoughts
SMART Goals are useful.
NLP Well-Formed Outcomes are powerful.
But together—supported by intentional commitment questions—they become transformative.
This framework works whether your goal is:
Business. Health. Personal Growth. Relationships. Recovery. Leadership.
Whatever you’re working toward, ClearPath™ helps you approach your goals with clarity, alignment, strategy, and confidence.
And remember—no one achieves meaningful goals alone. This process isn’t about isolation; it’s about ensuring you have the tools, resources, and awareness you need before you begin.
You’ve just uncovered why SMART goals aren’t the full answer. But what comes next is even more powerful—the ClearPath™ framework that blends proven psychology with practical strategy. Check out Part 1 and discover how to finally achieve your goals, every time.
Great leaders don’t just set goals—they create ClearPaths to achieve them.
The Core Impact Leadership Program equips you with the tools, coaching, and frameworks to lead with purpose, align your team, and consistently hit your most ambitious targets.
Hey, I'm Tracy
CEO Of Tracy Hoobyar
Tracy Hoobyar is a coach, strategist, and systems expert who helps high achievers create success without burnout. With a background in leadership, business growth, and personal development, she simplifies complex challenges into clear, actionable steps. Whether it’s building smarter systems, making better decisions, or creating real momentum in life and work, Tracy is here to help.
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