What is a SMART Goal? (Your Ultimate Guide)
If you’re into productivity and reaching your goals, you may have heard about the SMART goal method. What is a SMART goal exactly? It’s the ultimate tool for measuring if a goal can actually stick. SMART goals don’t only have to be about work-related projects. You can also apply this framework to your personal life to make sure your goals are on the right track. I love SMART goals because they create clarity. Through the process, you figure out what you want and how you’re going to get it.
What’s SMART?
The SMART framework establishes specific criteria that help you make your goals a reality. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.
By writing your goals with these criteria you’ll be one step closer to successfully reaching your goals. Planning your goals with this framework requires you to think through the steps you need to take, eliminate common pitfalls, and track your progress. All of this makes reaching the finish line easier.
S – Specific
If your goal is abstract, you’ll easily lose track of what you wanted to achieve in the first place. To make sure your goal is “Specific,” answer the 5 “Ws” – who, what when, where, and why. You don’t want your goals to get off the train tracks before you even start. Write your goal as specific as possible. Think of the difference between “I want to meditate more” and “I will meditate for 10 minutes every day tor relieve stress and anxiety.”
M – Measurable
How do you know if you met your goal if you don’t establish how you’ll measure success? You can’t! Add some kind of measurement to your goal to track progress and quantify your success. Decide the best unit of measurement and set your goal!
A – Achievable
At this point, you have to ask yourself: “Is my goal do-able?” The last thing you want to do is set yourself up for failure. Your SMART goals should elevate and empower you, not discourage you. Look at the other aspects of your life and your workload. Do you the time, capacity, and emotional strength to take on your new goals? It’s a fair question to ask. Sometimes there are emergencies or other priorities that you should work on first. Once you set your goals, you want to be able to give them your attention and focus. This is your chance to check in with yourself and most importantly, have a reality check.
R – Relevant
Your goal should matter to your life. Ideally, your goal has a positive impact on you, your wellbeing, your mental health, your professional life, or your ability to feel joy. What benefit will you get from striving for and reaching your goals? Don’t make goals just to have them. You won’t stick with them if they don’t really matter to you.
T – Time-Bound / Timely
By adding a time element to your SMART goals, you create a boundary. Don’t let your goals go on to infinity and beyond. Set a deadline so you have a sense of urgency. Don’t be like me and have a goal of losing 10 pounds for 7 years. This is one I’m working on now too! By adding a deadline, you feel more motivated within the timeline you set. Instead of just saying “I’m going to lose 8 pounds,” break it down using the SMART framework. Your goal could be “I’m going to lose 1 pound per week for two months.”
How to accomplish SMART Goals
Now that you know what SMART means, put it into action. Considering you’re the type of person researching goal setting, you probably already have in mind what you want to work on. The next step is to write it down. Get that goal out of your mind and onto paper.
Write it down. By putting pen to paper and outlining your goals, you’ll solidify your commitment to them.
Track Progress. Part of the beauty about goal setting is enjoying the journey. Don’t just focus on the outcome, appreciate the journey, and establish the right habits. Check in on your progress on a weekly or other regular basis so you don’t get off track. You can also re-adjust your goals if you track your progress, only increasing your chances at achieving your goals.
Celebrate the journey. On the long journey to your ultimate goal, there will be smaller victories along the way. Taking a moment to feel proud about your commitment and dedication can fuel your persistence and keep you focused on your long-term goals.
Mistakes to Avoid
There are a few common mistakes you can avoid in your goal setting journey.
Staying Vague. Never skip the “Specific” criteria of your goal setting. If your goals aren’t specific enough, you’ll never know if you “achieved” something. You may be on the neverending treadmill of self-improvement. It’s a place where you are always running but you have no direction and no finish line. Don’t do that to yourself!
Using the Wrong Measuring Metric. Be thoughtful about how you measure your success. For example, for some of us, weighing ourselves with pounds may be triggering. Or there are natural fluctuations with our weight that don’t really tell us if we’ve lost fat. What about measuring your body to see if you’ve lost inches? Think critically about the right metric and you will be on your way to success.
Setting a goal that’s too hard or too easy. Part of goal setting is challenging yourself. In one way or another, you’re trying to improve something about your life. If you make it too easy, you’re limiting the impact the goal will have on your quality of life. Make it too hard and you may lose your inspiration to set another goal again! Write your goals so that you land in the middle – with a goal that’s just right for you.
Templates
Whether you’re a “write it in your journal type of person”, or “use a template type of person”, setting some time aside to create your goals is important. Below I’ve included some sample templates you can check out during your SMART goal process.
OnPlanners – SMART Goal Templates
PeopleGoal – Super Easy SMART Goals Template for Word and Google Docs
Metropolitan Community College – SMART Goal Worksheet
I also really liked this simple template from VeryWellMind.com:
I will [your goal here] by [how you will do the goal]. I will know I am making progress because [how you will measure the goal] for [time goes here].
Like I mentioned, you could always just pull an old school move and write your SMART goals in your planner and notebook. Don’t make it complicated if it’s going to prevent you from taking action. Whatever works for you, make it happen.
