Every individual living in this world surely has their own life goals, whether it’s aiming for success, triumph, blessings in life, or other objectives. It’s a commonality among individuals.
You’re probably familiar with the phrase “Without goals or targets, plans to achieve them are like a ship sailing without a destination” – Fitzhugh Dodson. This means that setting goals is crucial in life to determine direction and focus our time and energy. However, most people only have unwritten life goals, and only a few jot down their goals on a piece of paper with specificity, even though it’s crucial for driving individuals towards their goals.
After identifying the goals and targets to be achieved, we can start creating goals using the SMART method to make them more efficient, thus resulting in improved performance.
Let’s delve into the following article to learn how to formulate SMART goals to achieve success.
What Are SMART Goals?
The term SMART goals was first introduced by George T. Doran, a consultant and former Director of Planning at Washington Water Power Company, in the journal “There’s a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management’s Goals and Objectives.”
SMART goals are a precise method to achieve goals or targets. This method consists of Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound elements. So, how do we incorporate this SMART method into the goals we want to achieve? Let’s explore the following explanation to gain a deeper understanding of applying the SMART method to our goals.
Setting SMART Goals
Specific: Setting Specific Targets :- In setting a goal, we must determine whether the goal can be defined clearly, well, and unambiguously. For example, instead of setting a very general goal like “I want to improve performance,” it’s better to make it more specific like “I want to increase sales by 30% this month through enhanced client engagement strategies.”
To make a specific goal, you can ask several questions using the 5W+1H format, as shown below:
- What: What do you want to achieve?
- Where: Where can this goal be achieved?
- When: When can this goal be achieved?
- Why: Why choose this target to achieve?
- Who: Who can help in achieving this goal?
- How: How will you achieve this goal
Measurable: Measurable Goals
After determining specific goals, they should also be measurable. This means that if you’re setting a SMART goal, ensure that it’s measurable so there’s a benchmark for achievement. For example, if your goal is personal fitness, you can state it as “Exercise for 15 minutes every day.” This can make your goal more manageable and provide self-motivation to keep moving forward.
Achievable: Attainable Goals
Consider whether the goals you set can be achieved, as unrealistic goals are unlikely to be accomplished. Therefore, no matter how high the goal you want to achieve, it must be realistic and feasible within your capabilities. For example, you can set a realistic deadline to complete a project, considering your workload and abilities.
Relevant: Relevant Goals
Furthermore, the goals set must be relevant. Ensure that the goals align with your overall vision and objectives. For instance, setting a goal to obtain a certification in Sharia accounting by early 2025 when you aspire to pursue a career as a Copywriter would be less relevant compared to a goal to understand copywriting techniques.
Time-Bound: Time-Bound Goals
Lastly, set a deadline for each goal. Goals should have a start date and an end date to create a sense of urgency, motivating you to work efficiently and effectively.
After understanding the explanations above, you probably have a clearer picture of the benefits of applying SMART goals in personal life. To further clarify, let’s explore some benefits of implementing SMART goals below:
Increasing Motivation and Commitment :- Motivation is essential in life. Lack of motivation can have negative impacts, leading to inefficient and rushed task completion. SMART goals can provide motivation to achieve desired objectives.
Clear and Directed Planning :- When someone is unclear about their goals, they tend to struggle in determining their next steps, wasting time. Setting SMART goals can provide clearer and more directed objectives, aiding in goal realization.
Improving Productivity :- In addition to providing motivation and clarity, SMART goals can encourage individuals to set goals within their capabilities, leading to increased productivity as tasks feel more manageable.
As an Evaluation Basis :- Finally, SMART goals can serve as a benchmark for evaluating progress and strategies in achieving goals.
Now, after implementing SMART goals in your desired targets, hopefully, they will guide you towards greater success, fulfillment, and growth. To further understand self-motivation, you can also pursue learning opportunities through the Orbit Skill Center. Let’s grow together with Orbit!
