Goals are small steps to reach the final objective. Setting goals is necessary if you really want to be successful. People often set goals that are not achievable and end up with zero progress. You might have heard about smart goals. In this article, we will discuss Smart Goals, and how to set them.
Table of Contents
What are Smart Goals?
SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time bound.
It means while setting a goal you must consider these things. These criteria will help you in creating goals that will ultimately lead you to the main objective.
Nowadays, people always rush for things one after another. Therefore categorising tasks, and setting time and goals is helpful in getting things done on time. Having clear ideas in mind also clarifies things and helps in the smooth running of schedules. By setting Smart Goals one can simplify the main objective by breaking it into small tasks that are realistic and achievable.
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Specific
Setting a specific goal means you must have a clear definition of your goal. If you are not clear about your goal, then working on it would be a bit difficult. People are more likely to procrastinate when they do not understand the importance of a particular task.
Therefore, it is necessary to set a specific goal by figuring out some points to focus efforts on.
- What do you want to accomplish?
- Why is it important?
- What resources, limits or people are involved?
- Where is it located?
Suppose you are working in a company at a job profile and you want to secure an HR job position. Then your specific goals should be–acquiring skills that an HR must possess such as leadership quality, communication skills and critical thinking.
Measurable
Having a measurable goal helps in checking on growth. Progress can be easily tracked when you can measure goals. When we see ourselves progressing, we try to be more focused and motivated toward our goals. If you want to set a measurable goal, then do it on the basis of these questions:
- How much and How many?
- How will you know that you’ve achieved it?
For becoming an HR, you need skills. And, you’ve set 1-year target to complete relevant courses to sharpen your skills.
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Achievable
Most often people set such goals that are unrealistic and unattainable, setting them and planning them is just a waste of time. Therefore, while setting a goal, make sure your goal must be realistic. You should challenge your ability but not more than your capability. When you set achievable goals, you can distinctively find out all the evens and odds that are more likely to happen.
More on, always set such goals that you have control of. For instance, a goal-“Get a promotion” isn’t under your control. You can only work on your skills to get a promotion. Thus, “work on your productivity to get a promotion” is the right goal.
The following questions must be answered for setting an achievable goal:
- How do attain this goal?
- On the basis of factors that might impact, is the goal realistic?
Suppose, if you will acquire the necessary skills, would you be able to deal with the interviewee? Can you work on rotational shifts?
Relevant
This step is to realise the worth of your goal and why are you doing it. That is it really matters to you? Your goal should match your other goals. It should not be a whole different way. Ask yourself the following questions to set a relevant goal:
- Is it worthy of time, money or effort?
- What is the correct time?
- Does it align with your needs?
- Are you the right person for this goal?
- Is it suitable for the current situation or socio-economic environment?
For example, is it the correct time to take training or courses? Can you manage work and learning together? Does this role suit your personality?
Time bound
Setting a time limit for goals is necessary. By doing so, you can measure your progress and restrict yourself from wasting time. This is the last criterion in setting Smart Goals. By bounding each task with a time limit, you can focus on other necessary activities too. Ask yourself these questions to set a time bounded goal:
- When it should be done?
- How much time does it take?
- What can I do today?
For example, How long would it take to acquire the required skills? In how much time you would complete the qualifications for your desired position?
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Conclusion
SMART goals help in setting such goals that are realistic, achievable and time bounded. By setting goals on the basis of these criteria, one can be successful in attaining his/her objective. SMART goals provides clear understanding of goals and tasks that needs to be performed in order to reach the main objective. Thus, it is an effective way of increasing productivity and utilising the time properly.