Examples of SMART goals

In this section we point you in the right direction to read more concrete examples of SMART goals.

If you are a student, you might find this article by Ramit Sethi helpful: SMART Objectives: Good Goals vs Bad Goals [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .

If you operate in the world of business, the following link contains Examples of Business Goals That Follow the SMART Criteria.

Are you ready to set up your own SMART goals? 

Activity 1.3 Writing your own goals in a SMART way

Timing: Allow 30 minutes for this activity
  • Remind yourself of all the SMART criteria.

  • Now have a go at writing your chosen goal in a SMART way. You may want to start with something like:

    ‘By [put a date here], I will have done/I will be able to …’

  • Check that you have covered all the SMART criteria – even leaving one out can limit your chances of success. If it helps to break the goal down further into smaller goals,  then do that. 

Discussion

Here are Zin Min Thant’s SMART goals. He is looking to grow his business.

Specific: Using my network of contacts, I will seek out new companies in need of my business services.

Measurable: I will meet with three new clients within two weeks, aiming to meet with three new clients each week thereafter.

Achievable: I will clearly and professionally outline what I can do for the new businesses, getting better at identifying their need and how I can meet it.

Relevant: Knowing that I have a good business offering and I’m good at pitching for new business, is I will use my existing contacts to meet new ones and remain focus on winning more work.

Time-based: I will start meeting new clients this week, and within a month, I will have signed one new business contract.

Writing SMART goals

Developing your action plan