Crush Your Goals by Using Smart Goal Setting

Goal setting gets a bad wrap, but it is because so many people do it incorrectly.  People throw out arbitrary goals and hope they work. Problem is, when you set a goal and don’t follow the right framework you will never achieve your goal and will only start to feel defeated and reluctant to chase subsequent goals. That is where the SMART goal setting process comes in. 

That is why I am such a fan of the SMART goal setting framework. You have probably already heard of SMART goals but let’s take a look at the framework and how you can use it to create and achieve any goal that you set.

You can use this process for any size goal- whether you are trying to to meal plan for the week, start a new job,  or launch a business.  SMART goal setting will provide you the structure to achieve it. 

So, let’s break the SMART framework down.  

Specific

Your goal should be as detailed as possible. For example, Instead of saying “I want to improve my social media” say “I want to grow by Instagram followers by 30%…”   Write down as much detail as you want about your desired future state so you can truly see where you need to go.   

Measurable

  How will you know whether you are successful or not?  You need to include some measurement of success.  Even if your goal isn’t necessarily quantifiable, quantify something within it so you can use that as a benchmark.    Why is measurement so critical?  Measurement can supply you with feedback on whether you are on track to meet your goal, but more importantly it can provide you with much needed motivation to get there.

Action-Oriented

A dream without a plan is just a wish.  You need to identify what steps you need to take to achieve your goal. Again, the more specific you can be, the more likely you will be to achieve your goal. Write down all of the steps that you will need to be successful. You can even assign measurements and timelines to your actions.  Can’t stress enough, the more planning that you do up front, the easier the process will be and the more likely you will be to achieve your goals. 

Realistic

I love lofty goals, however there is something to be said for being realistic. Too ambitious of a goal can leave you frustrated and defeated. Set your goals to a level that you can achieve but will stretch you.   You can still dream big, but near term goals should be more realistic. 

What are your thoughts on SMART goals? Do you have any additional tips that help you in the goal-setting process? Leave a comment below.