Goal Setting for Personal Growth
For those who fear failure, setting goals can feel daunting, as each step is seen as an opportunity to stumble.
But what are goals really? They are the mile markers along the road of life that give you the excitement of enjoying your journey. How you learn to enjoy the journey is by setting goals
Life is like a video game. There is an objective, the BIG Dream, and there are stages (levels) you have to attain to get to the objective. Along the path there are obstacles to navigate, baddies to defeat, and skills to learn.
There will be points of failure, frustration, and wanting to throw the controller across the room. There will be times when we’re running around in circles not knowing or seeing the next step.
Luckily there are others who are playing the same game and have made it past this sticky point…and most of them are willing to share how they did it, where the hidden tool is, and how to spot certain clues along the way.
One of the ways I’ve found to make it through the maze of the game of life is by setting achievable goals that are aligned with my values. I’ve tried using SMART goals, but I was never really able to make a connection to what really meant something to me.
Why Traditional Goal Setting Can Feel Misaligned
Then I heard of SCAMP goals. This framework was created by Heather Campbell, a marketing expert, and was all about ensuring that a business’s marketing goals were connected to their values, mission, and purpose. I asked if I could tweak it just a bit so that it would fit life goals, and she happily agreed.
SCAMP stands for Solid & Strategic, Core Values, Actionable, Measurable, and Plan. While SCAMP is similar to SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound), it's more grounded, connected, and has movement built in.
Solid & Strategic – The goal makes sense. It has a purpose that drives you forward. There is a reason why you are doing this particular thing at this particular time.
Core Values – You can tie this milestone to one of your Core Values which elevates its importance in your life. It supports who you are and who you wish to become. You know WHY you are doing this thing at this time.
Actionable – You can see the steps to get the thing done. You know you are capable of completing the tasks or you know someone who can help you along the way. You look up and say, “Yeah, I can do that!”
Measurable – You KNOW when the thing is done. It’s not some flighty, esoteric thing that can never be pinned down or is subjective. There are objectively concrete things that show the progress of your actions. You can look back and say, “I DID the thing!”
Plan – You have a map of where you’re going. Even if it’s just a map to the edge of the mist, you know when you get there the mist will pull away and you’ll be able to see the next milestone, the next goal, the next adventure. With a plan, you KNOW where you’re going and how you’re getting there.
Might there be some hiccups, some things you have no idea about? Sure, but you know the terrain and environment and you are prepared with some tricks up your sleeves.
How SCAMP Supports Goal Setting for Personal Growth
Even if the goal is just to get through the day, there are milestones along the way:
- Get up – Strategic: get the body moving. Core Value: show myself I’m alive. Actionable: move the covers, roll the body, put feet on floor, stand up. Measurable: Is my body in a vertical position? Yes, I did it! I’m standing! Plan: Be up by 7:30am so I can eat by 8am and make it to work by 9am.
- Eat – Strategic: the body needs fuel. Core Value: self-care and health. Actionable: pull food out, cook food, make coffee, eat food, drink coffee/water. Measurable: how much food was consumed? 3 cups of coffee/water, 1 bacon/egg burrito. Yep! I ate that! Plan: Breakfast at 8am so that I can have dishes rinsed and out the door by 8:30am.
Start Small: Personal Goals That Build Momentum
Sometimes it needs to be just this simple. This method helps to remove the overwhelm and fear that can come with setting goals and going for your BIG Dreams.
Setting goals doesn’t have to be scary, complicated, or overwhelming. When you shift your focus to goals that are connected to who you are and what matters most, the journey gets a whole lot clearer. That’s the beauty of SCAMP goals, they’re grounded, strategic, and made to move with you, not against you.
When your milestones are rooted in what matters most, they actually start to feel doable. That’s why I put together a simple SCAMP Goal Setting Infographic, to help you map out goals that are aligned with your values and the life you’re creating.
If you’re ready for a more grounded way to move forward, this is a good place to start.