Setting SMART goals

View

When you think of a goal that you are keen to achieve, how do you make sure it doesn’t just remain a pipe-dream? How do you check that it is realistic and achievable? Well, you need to think very carefully about exactly what it is you hope to achieve and how you phrase it – vague goals often have vague results! There is another technique to help you do this.

SMART is a popular mnemonic for shaping goals so that they are really achievable. You may have come across this term at work, as it is often used in business too. There are some slight variations on what the letters can stand for, but here they will stand for:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Agreed
  • Realistic
  • Time limited

Let’s look at each of these in more detail.

Specific

You need to be very clear and precise about what you are setting out to do. Have a few attempts at expressing exactly what your goal is. Check that it can be interpreted in only one way.

Measurable

How will you know if you have achieved your goal? You have to be able to measure it – in other words, assess whether or not you have achieved it.

So, try to make sure your goal is phrased in a way that allows you to monitor progress toward your goal. Sometimes this is straightforward; you can ‘measure’ achievement directly. For example, you can easily tell whether or not you have achieved a qualification – you have the certificate!

Sometimes though, it is not so straightforward. How can you measure, for example, developments in your communication skills? The best approach is to break them down into small stages, such as:

  1. maintain eye contact when speaking with people
  2. stop blushing when people notice me
  3. contribute to group conversations.

Agreed

You are more likely to achieve your goal if you have people on your side. Most successful changes involve the support of others in some way.

If one of your goals is to study – even part-time – you may need to discuss this with family and friends to get them on your side. If you are working, you may need to persuade your manager that it is a good idea too.

Realistic

Be realistic. Achieving new goals may well mean moving outside of your comfort zone. Don’t try to push yourself too far too quickly – be honest about your current qualities, knowledge and skills. You also need to think a little about how much support you have available to you and any challenges you might encounter along the way. 

Time limited

You need to set target dates for each of your steps and for your final long-term goal. As well as making it measurable, setting yourself a time frame for achieving your goal helps you concentrate. If you say, for example, ‘By the end of the year I will have …’ or ‘In three years’ time, I will be …’, it may prompt you to set things in motion.

The following video from http://www.projectsmart.co.uk explains how to write SMART goals.

©  Project Smart. All rights reserved.


Do you think you got it? Check your understanding of SMART goals by doing this quiz. You can revise your answers as often as you like. 





Last modified: Wednesday, 14 March 2018, 9:56 AM