S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting and Action Planning

How often do you set goals and see them through to the end? It can sometimes be difficult to keep motivation for completing objectives with everything that happens in our day to day lives. Using the tried and true  S.M.A.R.T. method of goal setting, you can prepare and accomplish any goal!

S.M.A.R.T. Goals

There are several variations of the S.M.A.R.T. philosophy, but all of them focus on an idea that these steps can make your goals attainable through dedication and desire. S.M.A.R.T. goals consist of the following definitions:

Specific

A clear and defined purpose that is detailed and understood thoroughly. Specify what you want to do and what it means to you to accomplish the goal. The more specific you can get the more invested you will become as well as making it easier for you to plan. 

Measurable

How will you know your progress towards a goal? Through precise actions and definitions, you can track how far along you are to accomplishing your goals. Instead of a goal like “get healthy,” define what that means. Does it mean losing weight to be 180 pounds? Make sure you know what will be considered a success to see when you have achieved your goals.

Achievable

Make sure your goals are something that is attainable but not easy. Experiencing the complexity of what it takes to make your goals will help you to learn and grow and to appreciate the joy of accomplishment. Be realistic and look to balance the challenge with that realism to keep you on track.

Relevant

The goals you make should connect to where you want to be in both life and your career. Aligning your goals with what you want most will make them more meaningful and can increase the chances of completing them. Keep it focused and keep it relevant.

Time-bound

Setting a specific deadline is essential. It helps you to know when you should be celebrating success and gives you a timeline for planning the steps to fulfilling your goals. It can also help you create a sense of urgency to your goals.

Using S.M.A.R.T. goals, you can plan and move forward on accomplishing personal and career-based goals to further your growth and skills while getting where you want to be on your terms.