In our last post, we touched on SMART goals. These are goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based. Let’s break down what each of these entails so we can set SMART goals in our businesses as well as in our personal lives.
Exciting, right?! (That would be yes, in case you were wondering.)
1. SMART Goals Are Specific
To be effective, our goals must be defined. They must have visible parameters, not be vague or lack information.
We looked at these two example goals last time:
“I’m going to pitch like crazy this week.”
“I will send out 25 pitches this week.”
The second goal will be more effective, as this is something we can actually shoot for. Because what really determines “like crazy”? How would we know we’ve reached our goal or feel satisfied that we were truly done?
Here is another example: “I’m going to start running.” Instead, we should use something like “I will run three times this week.” Because what determines “start running”? If we are feeling lazy, we might say that dashing through the grocery store parking lot with our bucket of ice cream in tow counts as “start running.” Just saying.
Making our goals specific increases the likelihood that we can form action plans to accomplish them.
2. SMART Goals Are Measurable
We must be able to measure our goals. They need to be expressed in terms that can be compared and provide us with information on whether we have reached them. How will we attain the goal? What steps will we take, and what must those steps be? What is the action plan?
For our pitching goal, we could define our execution this way: “I will send five pitches per day to reach my goal of 25 pitches this week.” Now we have smaller mini-goals to keep us aligned throughout the week.
For our running goal, we could decide on a plan of action that looks like this: “I will run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.” Now we have a clearer picture of what our week should look like in order to meet our goal.
Making sure our goals have clear, measurable action plans to accompany them is another step toward success.
3. SMART Goals Are Achievable
To ensure we accomplish our goals, we need them to be realistic. Aiming for something we don’t have a real shot at reaching will only cause discouragement and potentially leave us worse off than before we set the goal.
In our pitching example, we should initially stick to 25 pitches per week; we shouldn’t set a drastic goal like 100–200 pitches. We start small, and if we totally ace that 25 in three days, we can up it to 35 the next week—we can always adjust later.
In our running example, we don’t want to start by running five miles a day five to six times per week—we’ll probably end up with shin splints and the resolve to never run again. But if our goal stays small—two miles three times a week—we’re much more likely to see it through and stick with it long term. And again, we can always adjust as we improve!
Establishing goals that are realistic, that are achievable, increases the probability that we will complete them.
4. SMART Goals Are Relevant
Our goals should propel and enhance our businesses—they should match up with our overall plans.
For example, if we want to get published on multiple websites to drive traffic back to our own blogs (a broader goal), then sending 25 pitches per week is an excellent way to make this happen. However, if we want to rev up our websites to clarify our messages and attract potential clients, sending all those pitches isn’t pushing us toward that broader business goal.
If our ultimate running goal is to run a marathon, three runs per week is a great way to begin. However, if our goal is to participate in a Krispy Kreme donut run, well, we can just forget training altogether. (Yes, this is a real thing, but mercifully I’ve never had to witness one.)
We need to determine what success looks like to us in our businesses, setting goals that are working to get us there, that are relevant to our overall dreams.
5. SMART Goals Are Time-based
Our goals must have time limits. We can’t just say, “My goal is to send out 25 pitches.” In how much time? A month? A year?
Giving our goals time limits establishes endpoints to reach. It adds the necessary pressure to push us toward success. It’s okay to stress ourselves out a little in this way—just a firm push to bring the results we need.
As far as running goes, we can enhance our three-runs-per-week goal to include a time frame: “I will run three times every week so I can run a 10k by the end of the year.” Even though running three times per week is healthy, it’s even better to have something bigger to aim for—we can work long-term on adding mileage and decreasing times as we work toward that goal.
Implementing time limits on our goals will provide power and incentive for us to complete them—and while we’re still young!
How will you incorporate SMART goals into your business? How about into your life? Hit reply and let me know!
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