How to set SMART goals
Setting goals is a great way to find and enhance motivation. They can help us to push ourselves in various ways that we might not do otherwise. However, when we do choose to set a goal, we want to make sure it is one we might actually reach! Otherwise, it can be seen as more of a stressor than a motivator. This is where setting “SMART Goals” can come into play.
SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. Now that’s not to say you shouldn’t be setting your standards where you want them or be dreaming of doing extraordinary things, but in order to reach those extraordinary dreams, we have to start small. With every “micro-victory” we make or SMART goal we achieve, we bring ourselves one step closer to making that extraordinary dream become an extraordinary reality. So, how do we make our goals “SMART”?
Specific
Making our goals more specific, allows us to narrow down and pinpoint what exactly we want to accomplish, to be sure we are moving in that direction. We can do this by aiming as many of the following questions as we can:
Who is involved?
What do I want to accomplish?
Where am I going to achieve this goal?
When do I want to achieve this goal by?
Why do I want to achieve this goal?
Instead of saying “I want to read more,” you might say, “I want to set aside 30 minutes, 3 times a week to devote to reading on my porch, so that I can spend time doing something that bring me joy.
Measurable
Measurable goals allow us to stay on track and motivated. How will you know when your goal has been reached? Will you have finished a certain series or books? Or will you be able to run a mile without stopping? Having a way to measure progress along the way can make reaching the goal more attainable.
Attainable
One of the most important factors of goal setting is making them achievable and realistic. It’s easy to say I want to be accepted into graduate school this year, but if you have not yet attended college, then your graduate school application is likely to be looked over. We need not forgot those “in-between” goals that might come before reaching the end goal. The following questions can help with setting attainable goals:
Is this goal realistic and within reach?
Do I have the resources to achieve this goal?
Am I willing and able to commit to achieve this goal?
Relevant
A relevant goal is one that aligns with your other goals and plans. To decide if your goal is relevant, it’s important to look at the whole picture. Is this goal meaningful? Is this the right time in my life to try and reach this goal? Does this goal align with my overall plan and goals?
Timely
Thinking about timelines or deadlines can be helpful when goal setting, as it provides us with something to focus on and use when checking in on progress. It can be easy to fall into the “I’ll start tomorrow” mindset, when we don’t think about when we hope to achieve the goals!