If You’re Living Life the Hard Way, It’s Time to Live the SMART Way
By Dr. Scott Zarcinas, Founder, 818: Unlocking Your Life
Many of us have hit that point where we feel lost or trapped in our routines, wondering if this is all there is.
This feeling can be particularly intense, often accompanied by an urge for something more purposeful and more fulfilling.
Life can seem like a never-ending loop of responsibilities and habits, yet progress remains elusive.
If you feel this way, know there is a way forward:
The SMART Way, a structured life coaching method, offers a practical way to bring clarity and direction back into your life.
Here’s how the SMART Way works and why it could be the key to unlocking a fulfilling life for anyone stuck in a rut or feeling lost in life.
What Is the SMART Way?
SMART stands for Self-Management, Mindset, Attitude, Reconnection, and Transformation.
This approach is more than a typical goal-setting method:
The SMART Way is a holistic framework designed to help you realign with your core values, take responsibility for your actions, and make lasting changes.
Each letter in ‘SMART’ represents a critical aspect of personal development:
- Self-Management – Taking Control
- Mindset – Shaping How You See the World
- Attitude – Cultivating Positivity and Determination
- Reconnection – Realigning with What Matters
- Transformation – Making Change That Lasts
Let’s break down how each of these components can provide guidance and momentum for anyone feeling lost or stuck.
Self-Management: Taking Control of Your Life
Self-management is the cornerstone of the SMART approach, and it all begins with taking personal responsibility.
Life is filled with distractions and obligations that can easily derail our plans.
The key to self-management is understanding that you have control over your actions, even if external circumstances are beyond your influence.
Effective self-management is about setting realistic goals, prioritising what matters, and organising your time to reduce chaos and stress.
You could start by identifying areas in your life that feel out of control, then creating a basic schedule to tackle these areas in manageable steps.
Self-management isn’t about imposing a rigid schedule—it’s about setting up your day in a way that allows you to focus on what really matters.
Mindset: Shaping How You See the World
The second component, mindset, is all about how you view the world and your place within it.
If you’re feeling stuck or directionless, there’s a good chance your mindset is part of the issue.
As a transformational coach, I’ve noticed that many people carry ingrained beliefs—perhaps from early life or societal expectations—that influence how they approach challenges and opportunities.
Developing a growth mindset (popularised by psychologist Carol Dweck) is an essential ingredient of shaping how you see the world.
Part of having a growth mindset, but not limited to it, is:
Believing that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work and persistence.
So if you start to see challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles, you’ll be more inclined to take risks, embrace change, and adapt quickly.
That’s the difference between doing it hard, and being SMART.
Attitude: Cultivating Positivity and Determination
Attitude plays a huge role in determining whether you can maintain momentum on the road to change.
While it’s normal to experience frustration, especially when trying to break out of a rut, cultivating a positive attitude can make all the difference.
The SMART Way encourages a proactive attitude, focusing on what you can do instead of dwelling on limitations.
Maintaining a positive attitude is about nurturing habits of resilience and perseverance.
For example, instead of allowing setbacks to discourage you, view them as learning experiences that offer insight into what doesn’t work. Inventor of the light bulb, Thomas Edison, famously said that he didn’t fail 10,000 times, he found 10,000 ways that didn’t work.
This is the type of attitude that builds inner strength, making you more capable of handling future challenges without feeling defeated.
Reconnection: Realigning with What Matters
A significant part of feeling lost or directionless often stems from a disconnection from personal values or passions. The SMART Way’s focus on “Reconnection” is about rediscovering what truly matters to you.
Many of us lose sight of our passions or values as we navigate the responsibilities of work, family, and daily life.
The focus on “Reconnection” invites you to take a step back and reflect on what excites and motivates you.
One practical way to reconnect is by setting aside time each week to reflect on your core values and interests.
Ask yourself questions like,
- What activities make me lose track of time? or
- What causes or hobbies am I genuinely passionate about?
Reconnecting with your true self can reignite a sense of purpose and direction.
Transformation: Making Change That Lasts
The final element of the SMART Way is ‘Transformation’, which ties together the gains made in Self-Management, Mindset, Attitude, and Reconnection.
Transformation is about taking consistent actions that create a positive shift in your life, leading to long-lasting change.
This isn’t a quick fix but a gradual process where you start implementing new habits, perspectives, and behaviours that align with your values and goals.
Transformation requires dedication, patience, and a willingness to adapt when things don’t go as planned.
Remember, transformation is not about perfection; it’s about progress.
Embracing small changes can lead to substantial growth over time, making it easier to maintain your new habits and avoid falling back into the same old routines.
Why the SMART Way Works
One of the primary reasons the SMART Way is effective is that it’s structured yet flexible.
It doesn’t just give you goals to chase—it provides a framework for addressing the root causes of stagnation.
By focusing on mindset, attitude, and self-management, the SMART approach addresses both the psychological and practical barriers that hold people back. For those who feel aimless, these components work together to provide clarity, purpose, and a path forward.
Moreover, the SMART Way is designed to be adaptable, meaning you can apply it to any area of your life—career, relationships, fitness, or personal growth.
This makes it valuable for anyone who feels like they’re spinning their wheels in multiple areas.
Getting Started with the SMART Way
If the SMART Way resonates with you, the best way to get started is to take it one step at a time.
Start with self-management and identify one area of your life that could use more structure. Then, explore your mindset and attitude toward your goals, gradually implementing changes that help you reconnect with what truly matters. With patience and persistence, transformation will follow.
Feeling lost or directionless is a common experience, especially if you are juggling multiple roles and responsibilities. But it doesn’t have to be a permanent state.
The SMART Way offers a practical, step-by-step framework for moving forward, giving you the tools to unlock a life filled with purpose and direction.
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About the Author: Dr. Scott Zarcinas (aka DoctorZed) is the founder of 818: Unlocking Your Life and specialises in helping high-achievers transform from “doing machines” into fulfilled human beings. Through his signature SMART Way™ coaching method, he guides clients to align their actions with their authentic selves.
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ABOUT 818: UNLOCKING YOUR LIFE
At 818: Unlocking Your Life, we help proactive people thrive the SMART way. We give you the keys to a happy, healthy and wealthy mindset so you can free your time and live the life you always wanted. 818: Unlocking Your Life gives regular workshops, seminars, presentations, and courses to serve those who want to make a positive difference through positive action.
