Travel SMART – Set Goals and Plan

To achieve the travel you desire you must set yourself goals. The goals need to be achievable. A goal, in order to be effective and drive people towards it, should have the following characteristics. The goal should be Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, and Time-constrained. In other words, it must be a SMART goal.

Be a SMART Traveller

1. Specific

The travel goal(s) should be specific. Detail is what matters. Avoid generalisations; get to the point and crux of the matter. Specify your immediate travel desires. Then plan to go after it. For example, take that tropical island, dream destination holiday: “I have always wanted to…” seems a little general when compared with “I will travel, with my family to Fiji for a holiday of two weeks within the next six months”.

 2. Measurable

The SMART travel goal must be measurable. This goes along with being specific. A goal defined specifically might already be measurable. The above mentioned goal stated intention, involved parties, location, purpose and a timeframe – all measurable elements. A measurable travel goal, like going to Fiji, with a family of four, including two children under the age of five, within the next six months helps you identify, plan, execute and track more efficiently and increase your odds of actually making it there! Considering the logistics in this fashion, makes it that more realistic to enable your family to take the planned trip of a lifetime, as opposed to just dreaming about it!

3. Action-Oriented

A SMART goal must also be action oriented. It cannot merely be stated. You must relate the goal to doing something, to indicate what needs to be done. An action verb will indicate what needs to be accomplished. “I will travel” is a good example of an action statement, stated intent and implies preparation and planning, will and persistence.

4. Realistic

For any goal to be motivational and get you committed to reaching it, it must be realistic. When a goal is not realistic and the person does not really believe it can be reached, then the commitment is lacking and the effort will not be there to permit the goal to be realised.

Choosing realistic goals are based on your present status. What jumps to mind right away, is whether and how you can afford it and make it happen!

5. Time-Constrained

In order for a goal to move people towards it, it must be time-constrained. A timeline needs to be associated with it. It will entice people to move towards the goal. The timeline set, will be based on the goal itself and the present status. Six months is stated here as a realistic timeline, leaving enough time to save, plan, book and take your well-deserved holiday to Fiji, OR anywhere else YOU have chosen to go!

The acronym below summarises the advantages of planned, goal driven travel for your inference and reflection:

S – Smart, well informed and structured
M – Memorable, kilometers
A – Advantage
R – Rigorous and regular
T – Thorough