SMART Goal Setting- 5 tips for setting goals you'll actually achieve
SMART goal setting is the difference between ‘want to’ and ‘will’. The ‘smarter’ you make a goal, the more likely you are to accomplish it, all other things being equal. This principle applies to personal goal setting as much as it does in corporations. Various words and phrases have been used to make the SMART criteria. Here are what I consider to be the most helpful: SpecificWhat, specifically do you want to achieve? If you want to ‘lose weight’, what does that mean? How can you aim for it? Far better to state a precise figure, as long as it fits the rest of the goal setting model.MeasurableYou need to measure it to manage it. Numbers tell you your progress towards the goal and, crucially, when you’ve achieved it. ‘Lose weight’ becomes ‘Lose 10 pounds’.Attainable‘Only 10 pounds? That’s nothing! I want to lose 30 pounds!’.Maybe you will over time. But goal setting is about targets that your mind will accept as achievable. The thought of the goal has to be challenging, motivating and do-able. Too little won’t get you going; too much will put you off. RelevantDoes your goal fit into the bigger picture of your life? If it’s relevant it will support the other things you want to do, be and have. More importantly, it will align with your purpose and values.Time BoundGoals need a duration which is achieved by fixing a realistic deadline. This will focus your efforts and help you manage your time effectively as you progress towards your goal. No deadline means no priority.SMART goals makes things far more likely to happen. So does the act of writing them down and staying aware of them. Look at your SMART goals daily and notice the effect that has on your thoughts, actions and results.
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