How do you know if you are setting the right type of goals? A quick way is to check if your goals are SMART (i.e. Specific, Measurable, Agreed upon, Realistic, Time-based).
SMART goals have caught on much attention in management training, as it helps create a great degree of clarity in goal setting and expectations for your team.
So what are SMART goals. SMART goals are defined as goals that are
- S – Specific: Be specific while setting goals (i.e. lose 10 pounds instead of losing weight)
- M – Measurable: How do you measure the goal and determine success?
- A – Actionable: What is your action plan for achieving the goal? What do you need to put in place to achieve the goal?
- R – Relevant: Are you pursuing the goals that are the most relevant at this particular point in time? The Pareto Principle (or the 80:20 principle) can be very effectively used here.
- T – Time-bound: You should have a specific date by which you aim to accomplish your goal.
Variants of SMART GOALS
Over time, various variants of SMART goals have come up, with different combinations of words for the SMART acronym, that have been detailed below. The underlying theme remains measurability and clarity of the goal for all involved parties.
- S – specific, significant, stretching
- M – measurable, meaningful, motivational
- A – agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented
- R – realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented
- T – time-based, time-bound, timely, tangible, trackable
SMART Goals – Infographic
Recommended Books – SMART goals
Videos – SMART GOALS
SMART Goals – Quick Overview
A quick overview on using the SMART acronym while setting your goals. Using SMART Goals provides structure that helps ensure goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
Other concepts on Goals
Dominate – Don’t Compete
People who truly succeed big, never try to compete – they choose instead to dominate their particular niche and become known as the ‘go-to’ person or company for those specific requirements. Domination allows you to never have to compete on price, not get involved in feature wars and bring along free marketing.
Journals
The practice of Journaling (writing your thoughts into a diary on a daily basis) has been proven to be of tremendous value in helping you reach your goals, change behavior, clear your mind and deal with a range of negative issues. A simple daily habit, that can truly transform your life.
Goal Planning – Planning, Your Vision & Reviews
One you have settled upon your desired goal, it is essential that you create a clear plan, the provide you visibility of the steps that you need to take to help you achieve your goal. Planning how to reach your goal, is the immediate next step post your having established what your goals are.
BHAG – Big Hairy Audacious Goals
BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) is a goal setting style that focuses on setting goals that in normal circumstances would be considered unrealistic. Setting BHAGs have tremendous benefits in terms of motivation, a drive for massive action and to galvanize and bring teams together to achieve the improbable.