How to make your goals SMART?

Goals are important to have a clear notion, as in where you are and where you want to be in the future.

Well-defined goals serve as stepping stones to your success. It is vital to analyze the areas that need improvement in your life, set goals, and work towards achieving them.

What are goals?

A goal is an idea or drives which is future-oriented that is planned by a person or group of people usually time-bound and achievable.

"A goal without a plan is just a wish." Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

What is goal setting?

Goal setting is planning the process of setting your goals aligning with precisely what you want to achieve.

GOAL SETTING CAN BE SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM: 

Short-term goals are set to accomplish in a short time frame. These are your immediate goals and achieved within 3 years.

They are segregated into small tasks; you set for a day, week, month, or even a year.

Completing them without deviating helps you to achieve your long term goal;

Your 5- year or 10-year plans are long-term goals.

Important point is that you align your short-term goal with your long-term goal and ensure to stay on track.

MAKE IT SMART:

Specific: The goals you set must be clear and well defined. It must not be imprecise.

Measurable: Track, measure the progress; it is a vital step in goal setting. Set the criteria that you are going to measure the progress. It gives your real-time progress.

Achievable: Make your goals attainable. Being ambitious is good, but it is not wise to set your goals that are impossible to achieve.

Relevant: Keep your goals realistic; and relevant to what you want to accomplish. Be pertinent.

Time-Bound: Set a window, time frame to reach your goals. It doesn’t derail your progress and keeps you focused on your path. 

Setting smart goals paves the way to attain that next level in your personal and professional life.