What are SMART goals?
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Do you feel like a hamster in a hamster wheel? Not getting anywhere and exahusted doing the same thing over and over and without results or fulfillment?
I bet you do not have your goals written down in a SMART way yet!
To do anything effectively in life, you need to set up goals for yourself based on your present capabilities. You need to keep certain targets in mind and consider some necessary steps to be taken towards achieving them. Additionally, goal setting motivates people to achieve what they want but one needs to set SMART goals to ensure their success. SMART goal setting gives meaning to your wants.
Setting SMART goals gives clear direction to act to accomplish the objectives and goals they have set. By reducing the risk of unclear goals. SMART goal setting is really easy to use and can be used anywhere, by anyone, without any requirement of training.
Even though writing is really easy but sticking to it is difficult, once achieved, you can make progress rapidly and achieve success.
UNDERSTANDING THE WHY AND HOW OF SMART GOALS
SMART goal setting is the secret to alleviating the common challenges faced during a project or anything you want to accomplish. This is because these goals provide guidance and structure throughout the project, identifying what you want to accomplish.
S – Specific
SMART goal setting includes an “S” which means specific. This means that you need to be specific about the approach. By specific, we just mean that one should be able to answer all the ‘w’ questions. To be specific about your SMART goal setting, you need to know what exactly you want to accomplish; it does not matter if your answer is detailed or not. Next in line comes why. You must consider the reason for the goal and who will be involved in achieving it. It could be more than one person as well.
Then, you should come towards when. Setting a time frame under the time bound section will encourage you to do things rapidly. Moving on to where, you need to identify the location of the relevant event as to where it will be performed. In addition to that, which will determine the requirements for the goal as to whether or not your goal is realistic or not.
M – Measurable
The “M” in SMART goals stands for measurable. As it is quite clear with this element, this will help you in measuring the progress and performance. You need to choose the metrics to see whether or not you need the goal. Identifying a measure makes a goal more tangible, providing a way to measure progress. Depending upon the length of the project, you should set milestones for the ease of completing the project.
A – Attainable or Achievable
The “A” stands for achievable/attainable. This highlights that a goal is important to you and the things you do to achieve or attain it. Even though this may require you to have some skills and a different attitude, you do it anyhow in order to achieve it. Clearly mentioning how you can accomplish the goal and skills you require for it can make it easily achievable.
R – Realistic or Relevant
The “R” in SMART goals means being realistic or relevant. Your goals definitely need to be realistic as you cannot form goals that cannot be achieved or are not relevant at all. Only relevant and realistic goals will make sense. If the goals are not realistic, you or your team will simply not be able to achieve it.
T – Time Bound
SMART goal setting also needs to consider the timings as most goals are time bound. If a goal lacks realistic timing, then there are chances that one cannot succeed in anyway. Setting a deadline is imperative to accomplish the goal. Also, time constraints create a sense of urgency and determination to complete the work.
When setting SMART goals, you should be prepared to ask questions to yourself. Those answers will surely fine tune your strategy and will also ensure that your goals are attainable. In addition to that, you should write SMART goals with a positive attitude.