Identifying clear objectives with SMART goals
Vague or general goals are often left incomplete, even if they’re great ideas. It’s much easier to succeed when you have clearly defined objectives that are based in reality. We can turn vague goals into actionable ones by making them SMART, an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.
Defining these parameters as they pertain to your goal helps ensure that your objectives are attainable within a certain time frame. This approach eliminates generalities and guesswork, sets a clear timeline, and makes it easier to track progress and identify missed milestones.
S: Specific
In order for a goal to be effective, it needs to be specific. A specific goal answers questions like:
- What needs to be accomplished?
- Who’s responsible for it?
- What steps need to be taken to achieve it?
M: Measurable
Specificity is a solid start, but quantifying your goals (that is, making sure they’re measurable) makes it easier to track progress and know when you’ve reached the finish line.
A: Achievable
This is the point in the process when you give yourself a serious reality check. Goals should be realistic — not pedestals from which you inevitably tumble. Ask yourself: is your objective something you or your team can reasonably accomplish?
R: Relevant
Here’s where you need to think about the big picture. Why are you setting the goal that you’re setting?
T: Time-bound
To properly measure success, you and your team need to be on the same page about when a goal has been reached. What’s your time horizon? When will the team start creating and implementing the tasks they’ve identified? When will they finish?
SMART goals should have time-related parameters built in, so everybody knows how to stay on track within a designated time frame.
Knowing how to set goals using the SMART framework can help you succeed in setting and attaining goals, no matter how large or small.
