Goal Setting: SMART Goals
Introduction
Do you ever feel like you are working very hard but not getting anywhere? You probably see small improvement in your skills or accomplishments when you reflect on the last decade or maybe you are having a hard time seeing how you will fulfill your ambitions during the next few years.
This is where the SMART goal comes in. You can use this to clarify your ideas, focus your efforts, use your time and resources productively and increase your chances of achieving successes in life.?
In this blog, we would like to share what SMART goals are and how you can put this to practice and achieve your objectives.?
What does SMART mean?
SMART is an acronym that you can use to set your goals.?
To make sure your goals are clear, reachable and effective, make sure that they are:
How To Use SMART Goals?
SMART Goals can be used to explore how to create, develop and achieve your goals:?
When setting a goal, be specific about what you want to achieve, otherwise you may struggle to focus your efforts or feel truly motivated to achieve it. Try asking yourself: “What exactly do you want to achieve?”?
2. Measurable?
A measurable goal proves that a goal can be accomplished with measurable progress. It has to be established with concrete criteria and a method of measuring your progress toward achieving the goal.
Try considering these: “How will you know you have achieved it? Can you measure your progress?”
3. Achievable
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An achievable goal makes sure that you have what you need in order to achieve it. Your goal should be within reach, considering the available resources, knowledge and time.?
An achievable goal also considers these factors: “What tasks or actions will you be doing? Is it within your power to achieve the goal?”
4. Realistic
A realistic goal makes sure that your goal can be realistically achieved given the available resources and time. A SMART goal is likely if you believe that it can be pulled off.?
Consider these questions: “Are there examples of people who have done it? What are some of the obstacles you will face? What resources or tools might I need?”
5. Timely
Every goal requires a deadline to focus on and something to work toward. This helps to prevent daily routines or distractions from taking priority over your long-term goals. In addition, big goals can be broken down into smaller, more achievable goals.
Remember to think about: “When do you want to achieve this? Days? Weeks? Months? Years?”
A Real Example of SMART Goals
I attended high school in Phuket, Thailand to pursue my studies in the IB Diploma. Although I was surrounded by wealthy classmates, I come from a family with financial difficulties. Therefore, I made up my mind. I had to set a SMART goal to earn a talent scholarship at a prestigious business school:
Through sheer hard work and dedication, I graduated in the top 5% of IB achievers in the school’s 20-year history with an IB score of 40/45 and earned a scholarship to pursue my tertiary education at a prestigious business school in Spain.?
While the example refers to SMART goal in high school, the SMART Goal framework can be applied across all ages to attain self-defined success.
Conclusion
Using the SMART goals framework makes your goals specific and achievable. The framework is often taught across schools and organisations across all ages, enabling people to make steady progress towards achieving self-defined success in career and life.?
What goals would you like to achieve in your career and life? Let us know in the comments! If you would like to share more ideas with us, you are more than welcome to drop us a DM on our Instagram too!
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