Today we’re going to review what Smart Goals actually are and how you can make yours work for your business. So, what is a smart goal? Are you using them in your business? First, let’s find out what the acronym S.M.A.R.T. is all about then we’ll see how you can use them in your business.
When making goals, it’s important to learn about the acronym S.M.A.R.T. It can help you make better goals. Each letter stands for a different area of the goal. If you create a smart goal, you have created a goal that is Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Reasonable, and Timely. Using SMART goals can set you up for success in your goal setting. So, how do you do that?
Let’s see how below:
S – Stands for specific, which means that your goal needs to be spelled out very precisely. Using language that leaves no doubt as to what the goal is, why you want to achieve the goal, and how you will get it is very important. If you are not able to be detailed in your description of the goal, it will be hard to meet it. Take the time to do this part right.
M – Stands for measurable, which means that you should be able to use this as a metric for which to determine success. If your goal can’t be quantified, then it’s not a full goal and you won’t know how to tell when you’ve succeeded. An example of a measurable goal is something like: “I want to add 100 dollars per week of income to our bank by writing five 500-word articles each week for a life coach.”
A – There are different things that “a” can stand for but it’s usually actionable, assignable, or achievable. The preference to really get something good done is to make your goal actionable, meaning something where you can do something for each day that will eventually result in an accomplished goal. Goals should also be achievable or you will only get frustrated. Be accurate about the time it takes to reach a goal, and what actions it takes to get there. Also, know who will be responsible for doing it.
R – This can stand for realistic or relevant, and either or both are important and are true. If you want your goal to succeed, it should most certainly be something that is realistic or you will fail. It should also be relevant to your life’s vision and match your values.
T – Various authors refer to the “T” in the S.M.A.R.T. acronym as time-bound, timely or trackable. All of these t’s are important parts of the goal-creating and setting process. If you don’t set a time limit and you can’t track what is happening, your goal will be hard to quantify or show as achieved.
Whichever words you use to help you craft your goals, the important thing is that you need to have a process to help you make smart goals. Smart goals are goals that you follow through on achieving and know when you’ve met them.
There are many tools out on the market you can use to help you create your goals. Below, we’ll discuss a few of them and how they can help you achieve your business goals.
Goal Setting Tools
You can use old-fashioned paper and pen to make and set your goals, but what’s the fun in that? Today, there are so many wonderful online tools and software that can help make goal setting fun and easy. When something is fun and easy, you’re more likely to stick to it long enough to actually achieve the success you desire.
1. Goal-Buddy – Using this cloud-based software you can name, set, and manage your goals easily. It leads you step-by-step through questions about what your goals are so that they are S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and timely) goals. Then you can use the system to track your goals through milestones that you set as the days go by.
Link – Goal Buddy
2. Mint – If you need to get control over your finances, want to set up goals such as establishing a six-month emergency savings account, starting a business, and other goals, you can use this software to track your financial success and projections.
Link – Mint
3. Basecamp – This is really a project management system, but any goal has to have actionable steps involved or milestones and tasks to take to reach success. You can use Basecamp for any type of actionable steps and it will even email you a reminder to do the task. This can work with your business life or personal life.
Link – Basecamp
4. Google Calendar – Where were we before Google Calendar came alone? Unorganized, for sure. This is such a handy calendar that you can use for the most important areas of your life. Be it family, personal, financial, or physical – you can set your goals and work your way back inserting actionable steps and tasks to do each day. You can then let it email you a daily task list so you never leave anything out.
Link – Google Calendar
5. VisonBoard.me – This is basic vision board software that you can use to create your vision board and then print it out. You can also use something like Pinterest to create a vision board if you need to be fancier about it. It’s fun to create a vision board, and paste it on your wall, fridge, or in public so that you can see the reality of your dreams in person.
Link – Vision Board Me
And, there are more!
6. Lifetick – If you want a very in-depth goal-setting software, this is it. It helps you traverse the four important areas where you should be setting goals and then view how they overlap and work with each other. This software helps you define your core values, and develop S.M.A.R.T. goals as well as track everything.
Link – Lifetick
7. GoalsOnTrack – This software is a lot like Lifetick but has features that help you “chunk down” any goal into reasonable and easy-to-follow steps. Their whole idea is that you want to do less but get more. This software’s features encompass the 80/20 rule and puts it to work for goal setting and achievement.
Link – Goals On Track
8. Goalscape – If you like to visualize your goals in pictures, charts, and graphs then you might like Goalscape. You’ll create a kind of wheel with your goal in the middle and everything you need to do to reach the goal will circle it. So you can see it in one glance.
Link – Goalscape
9. Smart Goals Templates – If you like templates, these are some free goal-setting templates that are based on filling in the blanks for your goals. They will help you go over the various goals-setting steps needed to achieve results in both your personal life and career and business life.
Link – Smart-Goals-Guide.com/free-goal-setting-worksheets-forms-and-templates
10. Fingerprint for Success – Fingerprint for Success is a professional & personal development platform for individuals & teams to make amazing things happen at work and in life! Coach Marlee is the world’s first artificially intelligent coach! Marlee specializes in developmental and performance coaching. Based on decades of evidence-based research into human development.
Link – https://www.fingerprintforsuccess.com/
Whichever type of software (if any) you feel you need to use for goal setting and goal realization is up to you. The important thing is that you visualize the results of any goal, write it out, and then take steps toward achieving the goal.
Looking for help with YOUR Goals? I’d be happy to help you. Contact me here
FAQs
5. SMART goal example for increasing sales
- Specific: I will learn new sales techniques to increase sales at work.
- Measurable: My goal is to double my sales in four months.
- Attainable: I've been a sales associate for two years now. ...
- Relevant: I want to feel more confident at my job and learn new skills.
What are SMART goals? The SMART in SMART goals stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Defining these parameters as they pertain to your goal helps ensure that your objectives are attainable within a certain time frame.
What are the 5 words that make up a SMART goal? ›
By making sure the goals you set are aligned with the five SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound), you have an anchor on which to base all of your focus and decision-making.
What is a SMART goal and why? ›
A SMART goal is used to help guide goal setting. SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. Therefore, a SMART goal incorporates all of these criteria to help focus your efforts and increase the chances of achieving your goal.
What is a good professional SMART goal? ›
Examples of Business Smart Goals
Reduce overtime in the department from 150 hours per month to 50 hours per month by the end of the fiscal year with no increase in incident reports. Ensure that the 90%+ of the team has completed training on the new inventory management software by the end of the quarter.
Are SMART goals effective? ›
SMART goals are effective because they are designed to be realistic. When a goal is realistic, it is more likely that you will complete the goal. SMART goals are also designed to be measurable so you will know when you have completed them, and then can acknowledge your accomplishment.
How do you write a SMART goal template? ›
What Does the SMART Acronym Stand For?
- S – Specific. When setting a goal, be specific about what you want to accomplish. ...
- M – Measurable. What metrics are you going to use to determine if you meet the goal? ...
- A – Achievable. ...
- R – Relevant. ...
- T – Time-Bound.
Smart Goals use machine learning to examine dozens of signals about your website sessions to determine which of those are most likely to result in conversions. Each session is assigned a score, with the "best" sessions being translated into Smart Goals.
What are the 3 main characteristics of a SMART goal? ›
Measurable (meaningful, motivating). Achievable (agreed, attainable). Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based).
What is realistic in SMART goals? ›
Achievable refers to ensuring the set goal is realistic and possible to complete or maintain within the set time frame. Relevant refers to making sure the goal itself aligns with values and long-term goals and objectives. Time-bound refers to making sure the goal is set within an appropriate time frame.
According to the Corporate Finance Institute, “SMART goals set you up for success by making goals specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. The SMART method helps push you further, gives you a sense of direction, and helps you organize and reach your goals.”
How are SMART goals used? ›
Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives is a good way to plan the steps to meet the long-term goals in your grant. It helps you take your grant from ideas to action.
What are your goals examples? ›
Career Goals Examples (Short-term & Long-term)
- Gain a New Skill. ...
- Boost Your Networking Abilities. ...
- Intern with a Large Company to Gain Experience. ...
- Start Your Own Business. ...
- Improve Your Sales or Productivity Numbers. ...
- Earn a Degree or Certification. ...
- Make a Career Switch. ...
- Become an Expert in Your Field.
What Are SMART Goals? In order to easily measure a goal, you should start with SMART goal setting. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. They help set clear intentions, so you can continue staying on course with long term goals.
What are realistic goals examples? ›
How to set realistic goals
- going for a day out with friends or family.
- joining a local activity group.
- cooking your favourite meal once a week.
Replace your SMART goal with a PACT. Instead of SMART goals, which don't encourage ambitious, long-term endeavours, I prefer to make a PACT with myself. While a SMART goal focuses on the outcome, the PACT approach focuses on the output. It's about continuous growth rather than the pursuit of a well-defined achievement.
What is the opposite of a SMART goal? ›
This is where SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) goals come into play. By definition, SMART goals are the exact opposite of stretch goals. They're practical, achievable, and proximal goals.
Who should use SMART goals? ›
S.M.A.R.T. goals are useful because they contain five aspects that help you focus and reevaluate goals as needed. This framework can be helpful for any team trying to practice effective project management.
What is an example of a short term SMART goal? ›
A short-term goal is any goal you can achieve in 12 months or less. Some examples of short-term goals: reading two books every month, quitting smoking, exercising two times a week, developing a morning routine, etc. How do you set short-term goals?
What is the full meaning of SMART? ›
General Goal Setting Tips
- set both short- and long-term goals.
- set SMART goals.
- set goals that motivate you.
- write your goals down and put them in a place you can see.
- adjust your goals as necessary.
- Recognize and reward yourself when you meet a goal.
Write one goal that is specific, measurable, uses action words, is realistic and relevant, and is time-limited. Use words that describe the intended outcome. For example, "Mary will be able to . . ." Write the performances that will show that your child has mastered the goal.
How long should a SMART goal last? ›
T – Time-Bound
Ask specific questions about the goal deadline and what can be accomplished within that time period. If the goal will take three months to complete, it's useful to define what should be achieved half-way through the process. Providing time constraints also creates a sense of urgency.
› ... › Career development ›
Jennifer Herrity is a seasoned career services professional with 12+ years of experience in career coaching, recruiting and leadership roles with the purpose of...
Being as specific as possible will give you clarity on what you wish to achieve. Narrowing down your goal is essential to understanding how it can be achieved. ...
SMART goals are those that can help you focus your efforts on achievable aims and create a roadmap for career success. Learn more about this method of setting g...
What Are SMART Goals? SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. These criteria can be used to guide your goal setting. Specific: Adding specificity to your goal makes it easier to achieve.
What are the 7 smarter goals? ›
means, and finally a further evolution toward SMARTER goal setting. Even though you've heard me say it several times now, SMARTER goal setting means that goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely, and that goals should be evaluated and can be revised.
What is an example of a SMART goal in business? ›
One SMART goal example may be to pay down the company's debt, thus making more money available for employee pay increases and other projects. Specific: Pay off $10,000. Measurable: We can measure progress by monitoring our cash accounts as we go, and track how we are doing month to month.
What is a SMART goal example for students? ›
S.M.A.R.T. Goal: I will target my lowest class average in order to raise my overall GPA. Specific: I want to improve my overall GPA so I can apply for new scholarships next semester. Measurable: I will earn a B or better on my MAT 101 midterm exam.
Why are SMART goals effective? ›
SMART goals are effective because they are designed to be realistic. When a goal is realistic, it is more likely that you will complete the goal. SMART goals are also designed to be measurable so you will know when you have completed them, and then can acknowledge your accomplishment.
How do you introduce SMART goals? ›
Introduction to S.M.A.R.T. Goals
- Specific. Just like New Year's resolutions, goals can be initially motivating, and then interest dies off only a few days later. ...
- Measurable. A powerful goal-setting process needs clear follow-up. ...
- Attainable. ...
- Relevant. ...
- Time-Based.
What Does the SMART Acronym Stand For?
- S – Specific. When setting a goal, be specific about what you want to accomplish. ...
- M – Measurable. What metrics are you going to use to determine if you meet the goal? ...
- A – Achievable. ...
- R – Relevant. ...
- T – Time-Bound.
Let's take a look at a few examples of measurable HR objectives that can increase profitability: A measurable learning objective like skill up 10 employees to meet production demands. Increase employee satisfaction by 30% by the end of the year. An instructional objective, like introducing 2 new skill training policies.
How do I set SMART goals for my business? ›
How to incorporate SMART goals into your business plan
- Make goals specific. A specific goal clearly states what is to be achieved, by whom, where and when it is to be achieved (and sometimes why). ...
- Make goals measurable. ...
- Make goals attainable. ...
- Make goals relevant. ...
- Make goals time-based.
Achievable refers to ensuring the set goal is realistic and possible to complete or maintain within the set time frame. Relevant refers to making sure the goal itself aligns with values and long-term goals and objectives. Time-bound refers to making sure the goal is set within an appropriate time frame.
