SMART Goals - I make sure my goals are SMART

Introduction

Goals are important and help give direction. They serve as a target for which we can strive to achieve. A SMART goal is used to assist a person or organisation in setting and achieving goals. The term SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-Bound. Every goal you set should have these five characteristics to be considered a SMART goal. 

Specific

Goals should be clear, unambiguous, and defined.

Measurable

Specific methods or tools should be used to measure your progress towards attaining your goals.

Achievable 

Goals should be created such that they can be accomplished and are not impossible to achieve.

Realistic 

Your goal should be something that can be reached and something that has relevance to your life or the existence of your organisation.

Time-Bound 

A clear agreed-upon timeframe should be set with a start and finish date. A timeframe creates a sense of focus, purpose and urgency. 

Benefits of using SMART goals

1. Specific goals help to focus our attention on what is most important. 

2. Measurable goals assist us to measure our progress towards success.

3. Achievable goals motivate us to complete them when we know they are possible.

4. Realistic goals keep our focus on the outcomes that are really needed.

5. Time-bound goals keep us to deadlines and keep our goals on track.

Skill example

I wanted to set a goal to get fit. I researched how much exercise is suggested a week and found that 20 minutes a day is suggested. I then set a goal to walk for 20 minutes a day from Monday to Friday at 5:30am in the mornings. The goal is specific as it shows exactly what needs to be done each day. It is measurable in that I can see whether I walked 20 minutes each day. It is achievable as it is the basic requirement and not something I cannot maintain. It is realistic as I only start work at 8am, which gives me time for a shower before leaving for work. Finally it is time-bound as it is for 20 minutes a day at 5:30am. 

Sonia’s story

Sonia, a 33-year-old woman, has a desire to open an online store. In her online store, she wishes to procure foreign skincare creams to sell at affordable rates to the local market. After investigating her options, Sonia realises that she will need to save up about R10 000 to be able to buy her first consignment. Sonia, unfortunately, doesn’t have that much money right now. 

She decides that to be able to see this through she will have to make smart choices and SMART goals. She decides that she will save up about R1000 every month for the next year. Sonia feels by doing this, she will be able to monitor her spending as well as her savings and give herself a chance to do more research in the interim on the most cost-effective wholesalers. 

After a year of diligence, Sonia was able to purchase her first consignment and open her online store. By breaking down her goal into more manageable pieces, Sonia was able to achieve her dream. She also learned the value and effectiveness of proper planning and goal setting. 

How to set SMART goals

Setting SMART goals is an effective way to establish clear, measurable objectives that are achievable and relevant to your personal or professional development. Here are the five elements of SMART goals:

Specific: Your goal should be clear and specific, defining what you want to achieve. Avoid vague or generalized goals that are difficult to measure.

Measurable: Establish metrics that will help you track your progress and determine when you have achieved your goal. This could include numbers, percentages, or other quantitative measures.

Attainable: Set goals that are challenging but achievable. Avoid setting goals that are too easy or too difficult to accomplish.

Relevant: Your goal should be relevant to your personal or professional development and align with your values, interests, and long-term objectives.

Time-bound: Establish a specific timeframe for achieving your goal. This will help you stay focused and motivated to achieve it.

To set SMART goals, follow these steps:

1. Write down your goal using clear, specific language.
2. Identify the metrics you will use to measure your progress and success.
3. Determine whether your goal is achievable within the timeframe you have established.
4. Consider the relevance of your goal to your personal or professional development.
5. Establish a specific timeframe for achieving your goal.

Example of a SMART goal:

A vague goal: "I want to improve my sales."

A SMART goal: "I want to increase my sales by 20% within the next six months by implementing a new marketing strategy that targets my ideal customers."

The SMART goal is specific (increasing sales by 20%), measurable (using sales figures), attainable (implementing a new marketing strategy), relevant (targeting ideal customers), and time-bound (within the next six months).