SMART Principles – Paradigm Shift
We’re all familiar with the SMART principles when setting goals. Introduced in 1981 by Management Review, SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These principles are widely used to create clear and actionable goals. However, what’s often missing is the foundation—the crucial first step: discovering what you really need.

The SMART framework is valuable, but it’s incomplete. It guides you toward practical goal setting, but it doesn’t help you figure out what to focus on in the first place. Too often, people set goals based on what they think they should want, not necessarily what they truly need. SMART principles can't always redirect our focus when it’s off-course, leading to frustration and lack of fulfillment.
Before using SMART principles effectively, you must first identify your needs. Without understanding what truly matters to you, goal-setting becomes an exercise in pursuing the wrong things for the wrong reasons.
This is where a paradigm shift is required.
Discover What You Need
Manifesting with the moon is more than just a method of goal-setting. It’s a healing process that invites you to explore and understand your inner desires. It provides a framework to intentionally create your life based on how you want to feel, not just what you want to achieve.

Let’s look at an example: Imagine you have a strong support network, are physically and socially active, are engaged in personal hobbies, and have a fulfilling career. You seem to have it all—except for one thing. You go home, eat, sleep, and wake up alone. This loneliness hangs over you despite everything else going well, affecting your happiness.
In this example, companionship is a need that requires attention. Though other areas of life are thriving, the lack of emotional connection in this one aspect creates an imbalance.
This example shows us that focusing on how you want to feel is where change should begin. It’s not about immediately setting goals to fix your loneliness; it’s about identifying what is truly missing and understanding that it’s a need, not a want.
The Power of Focusing on Needs
The heart wants what the heart wants, but fulfilling your needs is the pathway to long-term happiness. While it can be exciting to chase after what you think you want—temporary satisfaction or fleeting desires—the key to a truly fulfilled life lies in focusing on your core needs.
Take our previous example: The person who feels lonely at night might head to a bar to fill the void, eventually finding themselves in a relationship that doesn’t meet their emotional or personal standards. While this may temporarily ease the loneliness, it doesn’t provide a lasting, fulfilling connection. It may compound the issue, as the relationship lacks respect and honesty.
The key is to shift your focus from the absence of companionship to how you want to feel in the right relationship. Instead of obsessing over the loneliness, think about the joy and connection you seek in a fulfilling partnership. Start envisioning what it would be like to experience the companionship you genuinely desire, filled with respect, trust, and shared values. The more you focus on this ideal, the more you align yourself with those qualities, creating an energetic shift that draws those experiences to you.

Shift Your Focus to What You Want
When you focus on your needs and align them with how you want to feel, you invite positive change. You attract what you think about most. By focusing on the emotional richness of an ideal relationship—not just the absence of loneliness—you cultivate a sense of gratitude and openness that allows that ideal connection to flow into your life.
The same principle applies to any need you might have—whether it’s a need for love, career fulfillment, health, or financial security. The key is to identify your core needs, not just your wants. When your needs are met, your life becomes more fulfilling and balanced.
The Path to Lasting Change
Change is more than setting goals—it’s about discovering and fulfilling your deeper needs. Identifying these needs allows you to create lasting change that resonates with your true self.
This is where your journey begins. Manifesting with the moon may not always be easy, but the energetic shift you’ll experience will be profound. By focusing on what you truly need and aligning your actions with those needs, you’ll create the life you’ve always wanted—one that’s fulfilling, joyful, and authentic.
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