Setting SMART Goals

SMART goals are a sure way to achieve goal setting success. S.M.A.R.T goals is an acronym for how to set goals. By writing down goals and making them SMART goals you develop a critical skill for success.

Every year, millions of people set goals as they make their New Year's resolutions with the best of intentions...only to make the same resolutions the following year!

In my work with elite athletes, business professionals, and students in goal setting almost all of them set goals.

I often ask them to evaluate them to see if they are 'SMART goals'.

"Huh...what are SMART goals?" they ask with a puzzled look on their face.

SMART goals is an acronym for goal setting success!

Now there are many variations of the acronym but I find that this one works:
    Specific
    Measurable
    Action based
    Realistic
    Timely

I find with my clients in setting goals there are two main reasons why they haven't succeeded in their goal setting success...and neither of them is a lack of motivation or commitment!

It is frustrating to be so committed and not achieve what you want to do, just because some common goal setting errors have been made. Avoid these errors with these goal setting tips.

Two Common Goal Setting Errors Are your goals vague? "I want to get better at sport","I want to be rich", or "I want to be successful" are vague goals. Goal setting theory and research advocates the importance of setting specific goals. Another common error is to 'set and forget' goals. Goal setting involves reviewing and updating your goal target. These goal setting strategies ensure that you constantly review and adjust your goals.

Setting SMART goals

Setting SMART goals creates a bridge between today's dream and tomorrow's reality. S.M.A.R.T goals is an acronym for goals that are:

Specific - You maximize your chances of goal setting success if you set specific goals that focus your attention and energy on what you need to do to achieve your goals.

For example, "I want to lose weight and become fitter" is too vague and could be more specific by stating "I will lose 6 pounds and run 3 times a week for 20 minutes each time."

These personal goal setting activities help you to brainstorm the different types of goals you want to achieve.

Measurable - If you can't measure your goal how will you know that you have reached it?

A goal that you can measure establishes concrete criteria that allow you to measure your progress.

Having measurable goals is important as it gives you benchmarks which, when reached, give you the satisfaction of achievement. This is a great boost to your confidence and spurs you on to greater effort.

For example, rather than setting goals such as "I will exercise today" or "I will read my notes tomorrow," set more measurable goals such as "I will walk 5 miles today" or "I will read chapters 1 and 2 tomorrow."

Action steps - Having clear action steps to achieve your goals is critical to goal setting success. You must ask yourself the following questions:

"What steps do I need to take and what resources do I need to achieve my goals?"

For example, suppose you want to lose 5 pounds in six months. How are you going to achieve this specific and measurable goal?

Are you going cut out your mid-morning snack?

What about getting up earlier to exercise or walking 2 miles at lunch time?

Both are actions that support your goal!

Goals are an active process!

Visit this goal setting plan from which you can download goal templates to develop systematic steps for achieving goal success.

Realistic - Setting realistic goals does not mean the goals are easy but you do need to challenge yourself so that you focus to achieve your goals.

For example, I am a bit of a chocoholic and I know that I can't do (will not do!) without my chocolate, so setting a goal to not eat chocolate for the rest of my life is clearly unrealistic.

However, a more realistic goal is to reduce the amount of chocolate I eat to one bar a week.

When the going gets tough motivational posters and goal setting quotes sustain your motivation for the achievement of your goals.

Time-based - When you set a deadline to achieve your goals you create a sense of urgency to take action today!

Whether your time frame is today, tomorrow or in 5 years time, setting a time to achieve makes your S.M.A.R.T goals a priority.

SMART Goals are GREAT, but SMARTer Goals are Better!

OK...you have set SMART goals that maximize your chances of goal setting success. This puts you on the top rung of the goal setting ladder.

Just by doing this you already have great skills for setting and achieving goals.

But there are two questions you can ask of your SMART goals.

Are you setting goals that are:

Energizing - Are your SMART goals energetic, exciting and ethical?

Your goals need to reflect your values and you must be passionate about achieving them.

By having goals that are energizing and exciting, you are motivated to keep going to achieve your goals.

Reviewed and Resourced - With the best of intentions, millions of people set goals each New Year, only to realize that they are setting the same goals as last year.

This is because many people set and forget goals, and as a result never achieve what they were aiming for.

Setting goals is an active process and reviewing progress and adjusting your goals is important for goal success.

For example, I sometimes work with injured athletes.

Often I review their goals to take into account their injury and adjust the goals accordingly.

Life can be much the same!

Things happen that require you to adjust your goals as the need arises.

This is why it is important to review your goals.

Having the resources to achieve your goal is important also.

If you are not prepared to put in the time and effort to make a change then it is unlikely that you will make the sacrifices to achieve your goals.

SMART goals that you are passionate about and reviewed on a regular basis become SMARTer goals.

SMART or SMARTer goals an important part of your goal setting toolkit.

They provide the framework to maximize the chances of making today's dreams into tomorrow's reality.

Related goal setting articles

Goal Setting Course: Structured Goal Setting Lesson Plans

Goal Setting Templates: Break Down Your Long Term Goals with Goal Setting Templates

Goal Setting Worksheet: Identify Important Life Areas for Setting and Achieving Goals