Do You Know SMART? A Framework for Setting Goals
Stefan Lindegaard
I help sharpen your leadership approach, build high-performance teams and enhance corporate innovation through new, original tools like Team Dynamics Cards and the Gap Map Overview.
There is so much focus on action and I often work with action roadmaps myself. For this, I like to use SMART which is a framework for setting clear and achievable goals.
Here's a brief overview of each component:
1. Specific: Goals should be clear and specific, so you know exactly what you're aiming for. This involves answering the who, what, where, when, which, and why.
2. Measurable: It's important to have measurable goals, so you can track your progress and stay motivated. Assessing progress helps you to stay focused, meet your deadlines, and feel the excitement of getting closer to achieving your goal.
3. Achievable: Your goal also needs to be realistic and attainable to be successful. It should stretch your abilities but still remain possible.
4. Relevant: This step ensures that your goal matters to you and aligns with other relevant goals. It's about ensuring that your plan drives everyone forward, but also that it's worthwhile.
5. Time-Bound: Every goal needs a target date, so that you have a deadline to focus on and something to work toward. This part of the SMART goal criteria helps to prevent everyday tasks from taking priority over your longer-term goals.
I find this to be a great framework for setting effective and achievable goals in various contexts, including professional and personal development. It helps in creating focused, actionable plans. The thing? It’s simple!