Smart Goals Are Stupid

I was chatting with an executive who, on his way out of a billion-dollar business, confessed:

If you've ever clocked in at a medium to large corporate gig, you've probably been cornered into filling out some soul-crushing form outlining your goals for the year. And, like clockwork, they're always dressed up in that oh-so-reasonable SMART Goal format: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Sounds reasonable, right?

For hitting sales targets? Maybe. For personal growth? Absolutely not.

The Dumb Thing About SMART Goals

SMART goals shine in structured, quantifiable environments. Sales targets? Project deadlines? They eat that stuff up. But when it comes to personal goals, changing careers, reinventing your lifestyle, or finding deeper meaning they often fall flat.

Why? Because personal growth is a damn messy, emotional, and nonlinear journey.

SMART goals work when progress is quantifiable, but personal goals often require emotional commitment first.

And for those of us over 40, maybe side-eyeing how we even got here and wondering if it's too late to jump ship, this rigidity feels especially deflating.

Your Turn

Take a minute. Jot down one thing you've been putting off because it felt too big, too undefined, or too "un-SMART."

Goal-Setting That Doesn't Suck

Ready to ditch the corporate BS and set goals that you actually want? Here are a few ways to flip the script:

Anti-Goals

Forget defining what you want to achieve. Instead, focus on what you want to avoid."I don't want to work 12-hour days," or "I don't want to miss out on time with my grandchildren."These anti-goals cut straight to what truly matters.

System-Based Thinking

As James Clear preaches in Atomic Habits, it's not about the outcome, it's about the system. Don't say, "I'll write a blog post every day for a year”. Aim to write daily. Miss a day? So what. Start again without the guilt trip.

Open Goals

Life's a winding road, not a straight line. Allow your goals to evolve as you do. Exploratory goals (tiny experiments) give you the freedom to adapt and learn, which is pure gold during periods of reinvention.

Or, You Can Try My Own Framework

Over the years, when I've set out to achieve something massive and meaningful, I've leaned on this framework I cooked up. It boils down to this:

1. Get crystal clear on what you actually want (no surface-level BS)

2. Craft a plan

3. Take deliberate action

4. And apply the secret sauce: accountability

Want to give my framework a shot? Try this it’s free: https://stan.store/Generalistalan/p/how-to-be-a-high-performer-in-times-of-change

Why Even Bother With Non-SMART Goals?

Victor Frankl, the author of Man's Search for Meaning, argued that people are fueled by values, not deadlines. And the research backs him up: meaningful goals simply last longer than those dumb SMART ones.

So, when you're daydreaming about a career change or a lifestyle overhaul, ask yourself what lines up with my deepest values?

Final Thoughts

If you're sitting there wondering if it's too late to change the game, remember this: it's not your goals that are failing you, it's the systems you're using to achieve them. By focusing on approaches that are meaningful, flexible, and value-driven, you can forge a path that feels both authentic and sustainable.

So, take a deep breath. Reflect on what truly matters to you. And don't be afraid to kick those SMART goals to the curb.

Do me a favour: If this article resonated with you, hit that share button and spread the love. Let's remind everyone that it's never too late to redesign their lives.