Rock Your Business Goals: The Power of SMART Rocks

Do you often find yourself overwhelmed with a never-ending to-do list in your business? You’re not alone. In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, it’s easy to get bogged down by the small stuff. That’s where the concept of “SMART Rocks” comes into play, and it can revolutionize the way you approach your business goals.

What are SMART Rocks?

A rock is simply a business goal. Big rocks, in this context, are your three or more truly important priorities or goals to get done in the next quarter.

The idea behind SMART Rocks originates from Steven Covey’s BIG rock theory, also known as The Pickle Jar Theory, which emphasises prioritising the most crucial tasks in your life or business.

Imagine you have a jar and a mix of differently-sized rocks, pebbles, and sand. You need to fit everything into the jar. But here’s the catch: if you start by pouring in the sand or the pebbles, you won’t have enough room for the big rocks. The key here is to begin by placing the big rocks in first, ensuring they snugly fit into the jar. Then, you can add the pebbles and sand, filling in the gaps.

In business terms, this means identifying the most important tasks or projects and giving them priority over the smaller, less important ones. By tackling the big rocks first, you’re making progress on the things that matter most to your success.

So, don’t let yourself get caught up in the minutiae – focus on those big rocks, and watch your business thrive!

What Makes a Rock SMART?

Now that you’re on board with the Rock Revolution, it’s time to set your own Rocks for the next 90 days. But here’s a critical point to remember: the number one reason Rocks fail is that they’re not SMART, which means they might not be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, or Time-bound;

• Specific: Keep your Rocks short and to the point, with no room for confusion.
• Measurable: If you can explain what it means when something is ‘done,’ it’s measurable.
• Attainable: Ambitious but achievable – find that sweet spot.
• Realistic: Don’t overestimate or underestimate your skills, time, or resources.
• Time-bound: Ensure each Rock has a deadline, and with Rocks, it’s always 90 days.

If your Rocks don’t meet the SMART standard, they’re a lot less likely to be successful. But that’s not the only factor that can make or break your success with Rocks.

Creating the Perfect Rock

 Big rocks are powerful tools to gain traction on your corporate vision and move forward. However, the fewer, the better. It’s typically recommended to set between 3 and 5 Rocks to keep them achievable.

See the process for creating these SMART Rocks and the full article on our website: https://www.connectthedots.co.nz/quarterly-smart-rocks

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