Making it SMART!
The Working Well Series from Make Me A Plan Productivity Expert, Danielle Clancy
29.01.2020.
Do you feel like you're working hard but not progressing? Do you ever reflect on the last five or ten years and see little improvement in your abilities or achievements? Do you struggle to see how you'll fulfil your ambitions in the future?
It’s becoming more and more common for people to regularly move from job to job or spend their time rushing to get lots done but actually achieving very little.
Setting SMART goals means that you have a specific plan on how you are going to get what you want in life by focusing on small achievable steps where your progress is clearly measured.
In this blog, we are going to explore what SMART goals are and look at how you can use them to achieve your objectives.
What does SMART mean?
SMART is an acronym which breaks down the key elements to goal setting.
Specific
Your goal must be clear and specific so you can focus your efforts on exactly what you are going to do to achieve it. Ask yourself the five ‘W’ questions:
- Who
- What
- Where
- When
- Which
Measurable
Measurable goals helps you track your progress so you can stay focused and work towards your deadlines. A measurable goal should answer questions like:
- How much?
- How many?
- When?
Achievable
It’s really important that your goals stretch your abilities but remain possible. An achievable goal will usually answer questions like:
- How can I accomplish this?
- How realistic is this goal?
- Are there any constraints that would stop me from achieving this goal, such as financial factors?
Relevant
This step is all about ensuring your goal matters to you and that it aligns with your other goals. A relevant goal can answer yes to these questions:
- Is this the right time?
- Am I the right person to reach this goal?
- Does is seem worthwhile?
Time-bound
Every goal needs a target date to give you a deadline to focus on and work towards. Questions a time-bound goal should answer are:
- When
- How long?
- Does this give me enough time?
Example
An example of a SMART goal is ‘I want to become the store manager in my current store by November 2021’. This goal shows clear direction and gives you something to aim towards.
In order to have come to this goal conclusion, you should have already answered the following questions:
- Do I actually want to be the store manager?
- Does this job align with purpose and values?
- Who do I need to prove myself to?
- What training might I need?
- How long do I need to build up the training and experience to do the job?
- Is this something that’s in my reach? How achievable is this goal for me?
- Is it the right time for me to be working towards this goal?
Ultimately, for your goals to be successful, you need a plan... A SMART plan!
Happy Planning :)