Rhonda, at Quilter in the Gap, is hosting a Finish-A-Long this year. What is that, you say? Well, go on over to Rhonda's blog and she will explain it. All I will add is that there are some great prizes!
I thought a lot about what my goals would be for this quarter. I applied the SMART approach. For those that have never heard of SMART, each letter stands for something to use when setting goals.
S - specific. The goal has to be clear, not vague. When looking at it later, you have to know exactly what it was that you were to do, and when you can say that it was accomplished. Rhonda has helped us with that - this is the FINISH-a-long, not the make some progress-a-long.
M - measurable. It's not good to say "I will improve such and such". How do you measure that? You need to set a goal that gives you something clear to measure and then you know when you've done it.
A - achieveable. Don't go over the moon with goals - pick something that you know you can achieve, and you'll be able to succeed. At the same time, you want to challenge yourself.
R - realistic. Goes with achieveable.
T - time sensitive - This goes with measureable. You have to set a deadline for your goals.
This sounds straightforward, but I work with staff doing performance plans every year, and it's not as easy as you might think.
For Rhonda's first quarter, I decided to focus on "achieveable". My goal will be to finish just this one quilt by the end of the quarter:
Anyway, thank you Rhonda for hosting this. I'm hoping it will help reduce my UFO numbers!
16 comments:
I love that quilt! It is gorgeous...I can't wait to see it all done. I love the SMART approach. I am a slow quilter too so I understand that too. Thanks for playing along.
That is going to be a beautiful quilt! I look forward to watching it grow. I applaud your approach, mine is much different, sort of the opposite, but I expect we can all have some fun in the FAL.
Awesome goal! I plan to link up too, and I also plan to just finish one thing, I am being realistic also!
Wow, that is gorgeous. I'm in awe of these intricate quilt blocks as I'm still a new-ish quilter.
And I am very familiar with SMART goals. My day job includes managing 15 engineers/technicians and we're about to do out goal-setting for 2012; SMART goals are the only ones I'll allow. And I agree, so not as easy as it looks.
great SMART goal! we use that technique at work, but hadn't thought of applying it to quilting. I will have to try that!
http://thepewteracorn.blogspot.com/
Gorgeous quilt, similar colourway to my cream and blue stars I am going to finish this quarter.
Beautiful, beautiful! Can't wait to see it finished!
What a beautiful quilt! Can't wait to see it finished!
That's a beautiful quilt.
I'm quite familiar with SMART goals too. My day job is also in management. I'd apply it to quilting too but then I'd have to face the reality that some of my projects will likely never be finished. :)
Love it so far!
Lovely quilt! Great idea - SMART!!
That quilt is going to be spectacular. What a sense of relief you'll feel when you've achieved this SMART goal.
This will be a beautiful quilt, hope you achieve your goal.
Beauty in the making - it will be a stunner!
Well that is going to one stunning quilt when it is done. My goal is to get a few done. I went yesterday and bought backings for 4 of the 6 that needed backs. Now to get them pieced together and put into the needs to be quilted pile. Then I will take one or two out of that pile and get them 100% done. Then work on getting a few others put together. I like to have lots of quilts in different stages, it helps from me getting bored.
What pretty colors! Good luck finishing this beauty!
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