Setting SMART Goals (Without Losing Your Head): A Coaching Take on Alice in Wonderland
My daughter got her first copy of Alice in Wonderland for Christmas. A childhood favorite of mine, I’ve been reading it aloud to her…flamingo croquet mallets, disappearing cats, and all.
What struck me, this time around, was how familiar Alice’s story feels. We follow a white rabbit, get sidetracked by snacks and side characters with wild priorities (hello, emails and Slack), argue with some Queen of Hearts energy around the dinner table (toddlers, anyone?), and then collapse into bed, wondering where the day went.
At one point, Alice asks the Cheshire Cat for directions. He responds with a question:
“Where are you trying to go?”
She admits she doesn’t know.
“Then it doesn’t really matter which way you go,” he says.
Oof. He's right.
Without direction, we drift.
Whether it's the new year or just a new moment, goal-setting gives us direction. Without it, I find myself chasing whatever’s most urgent, checking off the easy stuff, and wondering how I stayed so busy while my bigger ideas stayed untouched.
Call them goals, intentions, a word of the year, or just "stuff you actually want to do"—it helps to write them down and give them shape.
Why I Like SMART Goals (Besides the Name Tie-In)
SMART goals give form to your intentions:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-Based
They help you—and your team—build momentum and accountability. And when a goal is clear, you know exactly what it takes to call it done.
This isn’t a how-to guide (though I made you a free worksheet if you're ready to play along). This is your reminder to set a real goal. One with a spine. One that feels good to finish.
Here’s One of Mine:
Goal: Increase visibility and establish credibility for Good Smart Funny.
Let’s walk it through the SMART model.
Specific:
I want to write blog posts that share leadership tools and coaching insights. But that only matters if people actually see them. So I’ll publish to my site and share on Instagram and LinkedIn to help potential clients and kindred spirits find me.
Measurable:
One blog post per week. I’ll track engagement across LinkedIn and Instagram to see what resonates and where growth is happening.
Achievable:
Three hours per week, blocked for writing, editing, and scheduling posts. Doable? Maybe barely. But stretching is good.
Relevant:
Writing is core to how I coach, how I teach, and how I share what I know. And visibility builds trust—which builds relationships—which is, honestly, the whole thing.
Time-Based:
Check in at the end of each quarter. What’s working? What isn’t? Rinse and repeat (or tweak and try again).
The Final Version:
SMART Goal:
Increase visibility and establish credibility for Good Smart Funny by scheduling three hours per week to write and publish one blog per week, share each post on Instagram and LinkedIn, and track engagement metrics quarterly and annually to measure growth and resonance.
Ta-da!
Your Turn
Got a team? Help them build goals that align with your company’s direction—then watch what happens when everyone's moving with clarity and purpose.
And if you’re working solo? Start with one goal. A real one. One that makes you feel like the Queen of your own Wonderland when you nail it.
Now then…
Which way would you like to go?
Want a little help?
Download my free SMART Goal Worksheet to set your direction with clarity and purpose—whether you're leading a team or just trying to lead yourself out of Wonderland.
[Download the Worksheet]