Goal setting is an extremely effective technique for achievement in life and business. However, setting goals requires more than merely writing down a list of what we want. We need to establish goals we can stay committed to through to completion. One method of doing this is set our goals the SMART way, using the following five evaluation criteria. Is your goal a SMART goal?
S – Specific M-Measurable A – Achievable R – Relevant T – Timely
Is Your Goal Specific? Often times we set our goals too broadly. A SMART goal is specific enough for us to know exactly what we want. We need to be clear about what we are going to do, why is it important and how we are going to do it. The more questions we can answer about our goals, the clearer the goal will become.
For example, I’d like to buy a new home. With the SMART criteria in mind, I know that my goal needs to be more specific. A better way to state this goal would be: I want to buy a four bedroom, two bath home, in the suburbs, before the new school year begins.
Being specific about our goal helps us to maintain focus and directs our concentration toward activity that supports our achievement.
Is Your Goal Measurable? You may have heard this phrase before: You can only manage what you can measure. The SMART goal must have measurable parameters which can be tracked. This provides a way for us to monitor our progress and lets us know when we have achieved our goal.
For example, We want to increase our company sales over the next year. This goal would be better stated by including a more measurable parameter. We want to increase sales by 2% a month, over the next year.
The measurable goal allows us to manage activity throughout the project. It assists us by engaging our attention and maintaining our commitment. It also alerts us when something isn’t working as intended, giving us the opportunity to change our course as needed.
Is your Goal Achievable? The SMART goal is one which we are both able and willing to work toward. This is not to say that we shouldn’t aim high. In fact, our motivation is often highest when we are willing to stretch ourselves. But if the goal is so far out of reach, we will lose motivation very quickly.
For example, setting a goal to purchase an $800K home with an annual income of $60K is likely not achievable (under most circumstances). We should be certain to evaluate whether the goal is within our available resources, knowledge and the time needed to be successful.
Is your Goal Relevant? To maintain our attention, our goal needs to be consistent with our values and the other goals in our lives. What makes the goal worthwhile? If the outcome is not meaningful enough, we will not be motivated to follow through with the commitment. Our goal must be something we really want, not just something that sounds good to have.
Also, we need to be certain our goals are consistent in all areas of our life. One common conflict, is when our work goals are not in alignment with our personal or family goals. We need to be sure to evaluate the big picture of how our goals integrate in all areas of our life.
Is your Goal Timely? Finally, we need to establish a timeframe for completing our goal. Without a time limit there is no urgency to take action. We run the risk of delaying activity or falling into procrastination. Be sure to define when the goal is to be completed by. Is it one week, three months or five years from now? Set a timeframe that is both measurable and achievable. Establishing a realistic endpoint for our goal will give us a clear target to work toward.
So, as you evaluate your future goals, remember these five SMART criteria. Be Specific about what you want. Make sure your progress is Measurable. Aim high for what is Achievable. Focus on what is Relevant in your life. Set a Timely endpoint for completion.