In 1981, James Cunningham, Arthur Miller and George Doran proposed the concept of SMART goals in their article “There’s a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management goals and objectives”. Since then, SMART goals have been a mantra in management and beyond. You may be familiar with the concept of SMART goals and its uses. However, it is important to know how to write SMART goals. Writing SMART goals is a skill, and this article can help master it.
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SMART goals are factors combined to create specific conditions for setting a goal. These factors collectively work towards goal fulfilment by eliminating scepticism that may crop up while setting goals. Each of the five factors works towards precision and productivity.
Specific
Setting a big goal may seem attractive, but it distributes focus to the point that it disintegrates. The smart move would be to break the bigger goal into smaller goals that work in a unified manner. This leads to hyperfocus on several smaller aspects in a time-bound model leading to the realisation of the bigger goal. It is essentially like basic blocks that comprise a complex structure by piling up one at a time. Specificity is not just important regarding efficiency and the quality of work you mete out. You can see your efforts in a measurable, manageable form that leads to greater success.
Measurable
Quantitative work wins over qualitative work in terms of setting SMART goals. Distribute your work so that it can be measured and analysed if needed. Measuring your work can help you calculate the share of attention to the smaller chunks of work and estimate the time required.
Measurability works simultaneously with specificity. Measurements assist you in setting very specific goals to work for. It gives you more control over what you work for and how much you work.
Achievable
Taking up a challenge is a good idea unless the challenge is impractical. Set realistic goals for yourself. You know yourself best, so your goals should align more with what you can and cannot achieve than others’ expectations.
Challenges can motivate, but they are not the only driving force behind success. Before you take up a challenging task, it is better to analyse your situation, capability and even interest in the matter. If you lack the motivation to complete a task, you should rethink your goals. Setting achievable goals does not necessarily means that you have to abandon challenging tasks. Rather it is to assess yourself to find the best approach to dealing with it.
Relevant
Realise the purpose of a goal before committing to it. The relevance of the task is important in the most obvious way. Spending time and energy on something that serves no real purpose is inefficient. For example, if you wish to boost your business to add to buy a new pool table for the recreation room, think about the reason and the result. It may seem irrelevant if you want to do it only to add to your stock of an already sufficient recreational facility. However, if you do it to improve employee productivity by encouraging them to take a break, then it seems like a fair idea.
Time-bound
Setting time-bound goals encourages you to reach your optimum productivity level. Time is important in any aspect of life, including work. While aiming for a certain amount in sales, it is essential to know if it is attainable in half a year, a full year, or more than that. Time adds to the specificity of any goal.
The SMART goals format works collectively. Individually, they decrease in efficiency, but when united, they are a wonderful combination that forms the pillar of success.
How to write SMART goals?
In today’s world, the state of being ‘smart’ is becoming increasingly relevant ⎯ smart phones, smart classrooms, smart cars and whatnot. The ‘smart’ stands for a sign of technological advancement and increased efficiency. Similarly, ‘SMART’ goals also serve as a sign of advanced goal-setting beyond its acronymic value.
You can write your own SMART goal by satisfying each of the factors of the SMART structure with respect to your goals. Each letter of SMART stands for a specific factor.
S- Specific
M- Measurable
A- Achievable
R- Relevant
T- Time-based Setting a SMART goal is effective only if you follow up with it. Here are some ways in which you can stick to your SMART goals.
Write your goals
Evaluate your progress
Take a break if needed
Reward yourself Now, you can not only write SMART goals but also fulfil them.
Benefits of SMART goals
The benefits of SMART goals are unmissable. However, to fully grasp its use, you can take a look at how they benefit you.
Identifies strengths and weaknesses
SMART goals mirror your capabilities in the best way possible. It gives a reality check on what you can achieve, in how much time and the amount of effort you need to put in. It helps you assess yourself and determine if you are fit for the goal you set or if you should try a different approach.
Challenging
Following the SMART goals format challenges the way you plan. You have to satisfy all the factors before you go ahead with a plan. If even one of the factors seems shaky, then your goal may not be your best choice.
Traceable
SMART goals are traceable. It is not an unorganised mass of plans you follow for a massive goal. It is careful and considerate planning. You can always trace back your steps to modify your plan or even your goal if the need so arises.
Organised
SMART goals keep your plans organised. An organised setup increases the chances of reaching your goal.
Motivational
SMART goals can make you think more optimistically. When your plans are more organised, your goals become more attainable, no matter how massive the target is.
Examples of SMART goals in the workplace
SMART goals can be applied to diverse fields of work. Some smart goals have very specific impacts that can boost your professional life. Professional SMART goal examples include some generic objectives like:
- Learning a new skill
- Improving network
- Aiming for a higher position at work
- Achieving a balance between work and personal life
However, there are also SMART goals applicable to a specific purpose or profession. Take a look at a few examples.
Time management SMART goals
Time management SMART goal examples include:
- Completing an analysis of the last financial quarter before the next fiscal year begins.
- Reaching target sales in two months to invest in another profitable project.
Communication SMART goals
Communication SMART goal examples include:
- Increasing your network in a new region of business by a certain number.
- Volunteering for more public speaking events hosted by your company on an international level.
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Amity University Online offers a plethora of subjects for a global academic experience. It offers a holistic curriculum with leading experts to educate and nurture you for a rewarding professional endeavor. Amity’s unique learning system enables you to set SMART goals and provides the tools to achieve them. Besides being a UGC-approved platform, it is also affordable and provides full placement assistance. If you aspire to be an expert in your field, Amity University Online has the help you need. Visit the website for details.
