Without concrete goals, you are essentially shooting in the dark trying to improve. 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 anyone or team trying to be successful.
S.M.A.R.T. Goals Defined
S.M.A.R.T. goals are defined by five key aspects or elements. Without all aspects, you might be goal setting, but not effectively creating a plan for success. Let’s take a closer look at the five elements of S.M.A.R.T. goals. The five aspects of S.M.A.R.T. goals are that they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
Specific
Specific goals have a desired outcome that is clearly understood. This might be a customer count goal or product sales percent. No matter what it is, the goal should be clearly articulated so that everyone involved is on the same page with the objective. Define what will be accomplished and the actions to be taken to accomplish the goal.
Measurable
These are the numbers used with the goal. You need to have a quantifiable objective so that you can track progress. Define what data will be used to measure the goal and set a method for collection.
Achievable
Goals need to be realistic in order to maintain the enthusiasm to try to achieve them. Setting lofty goals is good, but you may want to break them down into smaller, bite-sized chunks. If the goal is not doable, you may need to first ramp up resources to give yourself a shot at success. Ramping up resources would likely be its own S.M.A.R.T. goal.
Relevant
Goals should be aligned with you and or the mission of the company. Don’t set goals just as an exercise for something to do. One way to determine if the goal is relevant is to define the key benefit to you and or the organization.
Time-Bound
Goals should have a deadline. A goal without a deadline doesn’t do much. How can you identify success or failure? This is why S.M.A.R.T. goals set a final date. This doesn’t mean that all the work is done, but it means that you can evaluate the success of the endeavor and set new goals.
Benefits of S.M.A.R.T. Goals
There are a lot of benefits to setting S.M.A.R.T. goals, which is why you should consider adding them to your personal and career toolbox. First, a S.M.A.R.T. goal helps to give you an objective. In doing this, you are able to identify strengths and weaknesses. Second, a S.M.A.R.T. goal provides motivation to succeed. When you know where the goal line is, you’ll want to work to meet or beat it. Third, a good S.M.A.R.T. goal, while attainable, will also be challenging and force you out of your comfort zone. Ultimately, the S.M.A.R.T. goal is a useful tool to remain focused in attaining a goal.
Drawbacks of S.M.A.R.T. Goals
As with anything, there is a negative side to S.M.A.R.T. goals that you need to consider. By focusing on the S.MA.R.T. goal, you may overlook other areas of your life or the business. There may be other tasks that command attention but the focus on the goal could overshadow them and leave other things undone. In addition to that, the S.M.A.R.T. goal can put a lot of pressure to succeed. You don’t want to goals that can not be achieved. It’s important to manage expectations and keep goals attainable to avoid burnout and morale issues.
Examples of S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Professional Goal: “I’m going to increase sales”
Specific: “I am going to learn about the products we carry. I will use this knowledge to better help find exactly what customers need. I will train customers on how to use the products as well.”
Measurable: “Goal is to be at 8% Product sales.”
Achievable: “There are training materials available on pruducts and product sales on both GCU and on Salon Innovations training site. Statistics show that just by properly educating customers 8-12% product sales are normal.”
Relevant: “Customers that are given extra knowledge on how to maintain their hair in the manner they desire are more confident in their stylists. This translates into higher customer returns and generally larger tips.”
Time-bound: “I will study over the next two weeks the materials and then begin immediately sharing this knowledge with my customers.”
Personal Goal: “I’m going to get in shape.”
Specific: “I am going to get at least 30 minutes of exercise three days a week and cut my caloric intake by 25%.”
Measurable: “My goal is to lose 15 pounds within the next three months.”
Achievable: “I already have access to a treadmill and walking path. I can afford to buy fresh, nutritious food for myself and my family.”
Relevant: “I want to live a healthier lifestyle so that I feel better physically and mentally in my daily life”
Time-bound: “I will go to the grocery store tomorrow after work and buy healthy food for the week. I will walk for 30 minutes before cooking dinner. I will go on walks three times per week.”
How To Follow Through on Your Goals
What’s the use of having a goal if you aren’t going to follow through with it? Once you have the goals, there are a few things that you can do to ensure you stay on track and achieve them.
Write Goals Down
Take the time to write down your goals and post them somewhere that you can see them. For team goals, place them somewhere everyone can see them. If it’s just for yourself, post a note next to your bathroom mirror with the goals. Writing goals down brings them to life and makes them real. It’s also a good reminder of what you are working on.
Here is a form for setting your S.M.A.R.T. Goals.
Share Goals With Relevant People
Sharing goals sets the tone of accountability. Share goals with your team, your supervisor or a mentor. A shared goal is a goal that comes with a commitment to work hard to achieve the goal. Make sure that you share goals with a supportive person who will encourage you to press on when things get hard.
Regularly Evaluate Progress
Check in and see how you’re doing toward your goal. If the goal is a monthly goal, you may want to have daily or weekly check-ins to see what progress has been made. This helps you redirect energy and change course if something you are doing isn’t working and you aren’t making progress. It’s better to see this sooner than later while you can still adapt with enough time to succeed.
Celebrate Wins
When you succeed, celebrate. But don’t think that you need to wait until the entire goal is achieved before you give yourself a pat on the back. If you find yourself making excellent progress during a check-in, celebrate that too. The little successes help you maintain the energy to work toward the bigger goal.