I first heard the term SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely) goals about 10 years ago and I’ve remembered it ever since. I know the power of a good acronym or mnemonic, so I set myself the task of coming up with my own for The Pearl Within. Here goes:
P is for Presence
There are two strands to presence: one is always being in the present moment; the other is having a presence – which often comes as a result of staying present. The ability to focus only on what is arising right now rather than slipping into thoughts of the past or future is key to living from the heart.
E is for Emotional clarity
It’s important to get clear about your emotions – in terms of what they are, how they relate to your thoughts and behaviour, how to deal with them as they arise, and also to clear out the emotional baggage you’ve been dragging around with you for years.
A is for Authenticity
What does authenticity mean to you? The dictionary defines it as the quality or condition of being authentic, trustworthy, or genuine. To me it means a way of being in the world that is totally congruent with your true self, communicating with respectful honesty and clarity, and living in accordance with your highest purpose.
R is for Responsibility
The bottom line is, the buck stops with you. You are responsible for your health, your emotions, your spirituality, your mind, your relationships, the way you impact on the environment. No one else is to blame. This is what true maturity looks like.
L is for Loving kindness
Taking responsibility for your own life doesn’t have to be tough. Show loving kindness and compassion to yourself as well as others. Grow up and wake up but stop beating yourself up.
W is for Wisdom
Wisdom might seem like the Holy Grail at times but it’s easier to access than you think. Wisdom is in that still, small voice within. Wisdom whispers, and to hear its voice you must turn down the deafening volume generated by the thoughts in your head.
I is for Intelligence
The traditional definition of intelligence – as in IQ – is far too narrow. According to developmental psychologist Howard Gardner, there are at least eight types of intelligence – linguistic, logic-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily/kinaesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalistic. Finding out in which types of intelligence you excel could change your life. You don’t have to be good at passing exams to be clever.
T is for Trust
If we could only trust ourselves, trust others, trust in life, trust in a higher power, trust the process, trust the universe, trust in the bigger picture, trust that wherever we are right now is where we are meant to be.
H is for Honesty
As Thomas Jefferson said, honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom. Rigorous honesty goes hand in hand with responsibility. Be honest about yourself – your strengths and shortcomings, your gifts and talents, your communication, your emotions, your thoughts, your behaviour, your health, your wealth – and enjoy an authentic life.
I is for Inspiration
Take a deep breath – that is inspiration, pure and simple. And inhaling gulps of air may well fuel the other type of inspiration – that spark of creativity, that brilliant idea, that flash of insight, which arrives without fanfare, sometimes at such speed that we almost miss it. Inspiration is a life-enhancing energy boost.
N is for Now
I read Eckhart Tolle’s classic The Power of Now when it first came out but it took me a few years to truly understand the power of being present. Now is all there is, so be here or be trapped in a prison of the past. Now is where it’s at! As Tolle says, “Life is now. There was never a time when your life was not now, nor will there ever be.”
Leave a Reply