Notes on: SMART Goals

'SMART Goals: How to Make Your Goals Achievable' is an article originally published on mindtools.com.

What Does SMART Mean?

SMART is an acronym commonly attributed to Peter Drucker, and it stands for:

• Specific.

• Measurable.

• Achievable.

• Relevant.

• Time bound.

How to Use SMART

Setting SMART goals enables you to clarify your ideas, focus your energy and attention, use your time and resources productively, and increase your chances of success. To ensure your goals are SMART:

Specific

Your goal should be stated clearly and be very specific. For example, instead of 'Go on a trip' you can try 'Save money to be able to go on a trip to Mexico'.

Measurable

You should be able to know whether you are on or off track with your goal to stay motivated and track progress. Your goals should answer how much or how many and there should be a clear yes or no as to whether the goal was accomplished. For example, instead of 'Save money to go on a trip to Mexico' you can try 'Save $50 a week to go on a trip to Mexico'.

Achievable

Your goal should be realistic and achievable. It should be challenging, but not impossible. You are less likely to stay motivated if the goal seems out of reach. You need to ensure you have the capacity for success, and capacity includes the skills and time needed to accomplish the goal. For example, is $50 a week affordable? Perhaps you have some upcoming car payments so $25 a week is more reasonable.

Relevant

Your goal should be relevant to your life, your values and your other goals. It should be meaningful enough to be a priority for you, and a good use of your time, skills, and energy. For example, you may want to save $50 a week for a trip to Mexico, but you really want to go to Japan and that is more expensive, so going to Mexico will impact your ability to go to Japan.

Time bound

Your goal should have a target date so you have deadline to work towards and a time when you will say whether or not you have achieved your goal. For example, instead of 'Save $50 a week to go on a trip to Mexico' you can try 'Save $50 a week to go on a trip to Mexico by March of next year'.