I have always been a great fan of goals. I know that studies have shown that people who set goals are generally more successful. I won't research and quote them here because that's not very exciting. Personally, I like the motivation that I derive from having set a goal, and it is even more effective when it is a "published" goal, meaning you have shared it with someone else.

My opinion is that setting goals is good, but setting SMART goals is even better. So what the heck is a SMART goal? Here is the key:

S M A R T Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Time Based

Here's how you check the "quality" of your goals

So let's take these attributes one by one. The first criterion is to be specific. For example, if you put down a goal of wanting to be more successful, that is not very specific. But if you say that I want to make more money. That is more specific. The more specifically you are able to define your goal, the easier it is for you to know when you have achieved it.

The next test is whether your goal is measurable. So, building on the example above, more money is sort of measurable, but not really. Let's modify our goal to say "I want to make 20% more money." Now the goal is measurable.

The third check is whether it is attainable. We all want goals that challenge us and make us stretch. But if it is so far out of reach that it takes divine intervention for it to happen, then how long do you think you'll keep trying? So, checking on our example, if you are an entrepreneur and you have lots of control over your income, the 20% may be attainable. If you work for a company that has a rigid salary structure, the 20% may be a real "only when pigs fly" goal. So, do a reality check on how attainable your goal is so you can stay motivated and not feel it is hopeless and give up at the first obstacle, yet still have enough of a challenge that it really means something to you when you achieve it.

The fourth check is if your goal is relevant. This may sound kind of strange, but what this is getting at is what makes it so important to you that you achieve this goal. If the answer is that it is not that important, how hard do you think you will work to achieve it? Again building on our example, the goal is important because it will afford me a trip abroad, and that is one way I nurture myself, and that is my motivation.

Last check on the quality of your goal, is it time-based, meaning is there a completion date or some other time element attached to it? So, one more modification: "I want to make 20% more money in 2004 than I did in 2003." Now the goal is time-based, and it qualifies as a SMART goal. Another example of a time-based goal that does not involve a completion date is cooking dinner for my family three times a week. That is an on-going goal that also has all the SMART elements.

Now on to action

Now that you know all about how to set smart goals, what goals would you like to set for yourself? Once you have settled on a few that feels right, share them with someone who cares about you, and wants you to succeed, so they can be a supporter and cheerleader along the way. Check in on your goals periodically to see if you are moving in the right direction and if there are any adjustments you want to make, both to your approach and to your goals. There is nothing that says that once you have set a goal, that's it, it is cast in concrete. If you want to revise them, it is up to you. After all, this is about what you want, right?
 

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