Summary

SMART goals may sound good in theory—but when you’re burned out, overwhelmed, or just trying to move forward, they can feel like more corporate noise. Here’s why I ditched them for my own method: FAST Goals: The Phoenix Framework (Feel-aligned, Actionable, Short-term, Tracked simply).

The Meeting That Broke Me

I sat in yet another leadership meeting where someone was passionately lecturing us about writing SMART goals.

You know the drill: Specific. Measurable. Achievable. Realistic. Time-bound.
Which is great… in theory.

But in practice? We were six months behind on our actual strategic goals because we’d wasted dozens of hours writing out SMART plans no one ever read again.

Meanwhile, I had real fires to put out. Real deliverables to hit. Real people counting on me. And all I could think was: “Cool. AI can write these for you. I’m going to go do the real work.” That was the day I committed to my own method: FAST Goals: The Phoenix Framework.

What Are FAST Goals (The Phoenix Framework)?

My FAST Goals system is built for humans under pressure—not spreadsheets and slide decks.

FAST stands for:

F — Feel-aligned
If a goal doesn’t emotionally resonate, it’s already DOA. Your nervous system won’t chase what your heart isn’t in.

A — Actionable
No vague fluff. What’s the next move? What can I do today?

S — Short-term
I’m not here to write a 12-month manifesto. Give me a 1-week win. A 1-day decision. A 1-hour push.

T — Tracked simply
One line. One checkmark. One daily review. No dashboards required.

Why SMART Fails (When You’re Already Drowning)

SMART goals fail not because they’re wrong—but because they’re too heavy when you’re low on bandwidth.

Here’s the truth:

  • Burned-out brains don’t need more complexity.
  • Overwhelmed teams don’t need more bureaucracy.
  • Visionary creatives don’t need more boxes to fit into.

What we need is motion with meaning—and FAST Goals give you that.

How FAST Goals Changed My Workflow

Here’s a real example from my last major project:

SMART goal version: “Develop a cross-channel content calendar that aligns with brand messaging for Q3 and generates a 20% increase in engagement YOY by September 30.”

Cool story. (Eye-roll)

FAST goal version: “Map out the next 3 hero posts this week based on our 3 core emotional triggers. Post one by Friday.”

Same outcome. Way less friction.

The FAST Goal Ritual

Here’s how I do it each Monday:

  1. Write 3 FAST Goals that feel aligned and urgent
  2. Pick 1 to act on immediately
  3. Use my “FAST Tracker” to mark progress with ✳, ✔, or ➜

That’s it. It keeps me focused, nimble, and emotionally connected—even in chaos.

Pro Tip: FAST Goals Work Even on BMDs

When you’re having a Bare Minimum Day, a FAST Goal might be:

  • Drink water before coffee
  • Send 1 check-in message to your team
  • Write one paragraph of that email you’ve been dreading

This isn’t about high performance. It’s about human progress.

What I Want You to Know

You don’t need a 10-point plan, another quarterly off-site, or more slides. You need a system that respects your energy, matches your rhythm, and gives you momentum without guilt. That’s what FAST Goals deliver.

Want the FAST Goal Tracker?

I built a 1-page printable to help you write your goals FAST and track them without overthinking.

Includes:

  • The FAST framework
  • Brain dump space
  • Daily check tracker
  • Quick prompt section

Forget perfection. Just go FAST.

—Sterling Phoenix

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