There is probably only a difference in degree between the two thought processes mentioned above here.
I think "going after what you think you can get" is a good way of pushing yourself toward a LARGER goal, and using the SMART system is the way you go about it, after chunking down the initial larger goal into manageable bites. It doesn't mean that one is better than the other - they should compliment each other.
In attempting to visualize the overall goal, it may actually give you some measurable emotional impetus toward where you want to be, but as you move forward with the chunks, you may find that what you initially visualized was itself a smaller chunk of another larger whole piece of the pie. Or you may decide that you want to hit a slightly different destination, after you've grown a bit from the challenges that come up with working toward goals.
The main thing to keep in mind is that nothing is written in stone, and the second main thing is to enjoy the journey as it happens - not being too concerned for what has past or what lies in the future between now and when the goal is achieved. The keyword here is momentum.
Cheers!
Unis
