SMART Goals

Every year people discuss New Year’s resolution. It’s approached as it is a simple statement or declaration of something you’re going to accomplish in this coming year. It’s a goal. A goal that most people will never achieve based on this declaration. However, there is a formula for creating a goal that you can stick to.

You have to create a S.M.A.R.T. goal. Let’s look at the components that make up the acronym S.M.A.R.T.

Specific (simple, sensible, significant)
Measurable (meaningful, motivating)
Achievable (agreed, attainable)
Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based)
Time bound (time-based, time limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive)

Let’s Break It Down

Specific

In order to focus your efforts on achieving your goal, the goal has to be very specific. Think about the 5W’s you learned in school and answer those to narrow down your goal: who, what, when, where, why.

Measurable

“How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” A large bowl can feel very overwhelming. In order to make the goal achievable, you must make it measurable. Determine the baby steps/milestones you will need to hit in order to achieve your goal.

Achievable

Goals are meant to stretch you out of your comfort zone to reach something you’ve never obtained before. However, if it is not an achievable goal you were always hit a roadblock and fail. In order to achieve success. You’ll need to create a goal that stretches just outside of your abilities without going overboard

Relevant

A relevant goal is something that is important to you. .Make sure that what you’re trying to achieve is some thing that really matters to you. If you’re just setting a goal that seems like you should be doing it, it will never work – make sure it is something you’re passionate about achieving.