Setting SMART Goals: A Realistic Way to Achieve Goals

As the first month of the year comes to an end and the “New Year resolution rush” dwindles down, many people might be finding the initial rush of motivation and completing goals starting to fade. This often leads to people wanting to “give up” or “try again later”. Are you wondering how you can accomplish your goals effectively? One practical technique to help you create a clear and actionable plan is by setting SMART goals.

What are SMART goals?

SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound objectives that guide individuals towards achieving their desired outcomes. These goals are realistic, clearly defined, and lays out the necessary steps towards meeting your goals successfully. 

Here’s what each letter of the SMART acronym stands for:

  • Specific: Goals must be concrete and well-defined. Avoid vague or overly broad language when creating a goal. Instead, target specific tasks or intentions to achieve a meaningful and actionable outcome. Identify what you want to achieve, whether it’s a personal goal or a work-related objective.

  • Measurable: Goals should be measurable so we can track and evaluate them.Break down the larger goal into actionable targets.

  • Attainable: Ensure that your goals are challenging yet realistic, based on your capabilities and resources. Setting too many or too difficult goals can lead to disappointment and frustration.Check if you have the resources, skills, and knowledge to complete the target.

  • Relevant: Goals should be applicable and relevant to your current life or work situation. They should link to other objectives to ensure that you are working towards a purposeful and significant outcome.

  • Time-bound: Set a deadline for each target with a specific timeframe. Define by what exact date and time you aim to complete it. This enables you to focus on the task at hand and ensures that you complete your goal.

With these five focus areas, you can create meaningful, attainable goals to help you improve your overall productivity, time management, and effectiveness.

Example of a SMART goal:

  • Specific: I want to wake up earlier to have more time for myself and my morning routine.

  • Measurable: I’ll track how many times I snooze my alarm and when I finish my morning routine.

  • Attainable: My schedule allows me to go to sleep early, so I can get at least eight hours of sleep.

  • Relevant: I feel rushed and anxious trying to get to work each day. Being able to spend time doing my morning routine every day and taking care of myself, I will have an improved mood and be more present at work. 

  • Time-bound: In four weeks, I want to wake up two hours earlier than when I usually wake up now.

Using SMART goals enables you to create purposeful, specific objectives that facilitate progress towards your larger objective. Follow the steps outlined above to make efficient use of your time, increase productivity and move towards achieving your full potential. With SMART goals, your path to success is clearer and more attainable.

With love, 

Hannah


Note: Everything posted here is for educational purposes only and is not a replacement for individualized mental health treatment. If you would like to start therapy with me, click HERE

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