Time to reboot SMART goals
Dear friends,
I'm sure you all know about SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound).... Yawn, soooo BORING and so late 2000's management speak. Time for a reboot.
I gave myself 10 minutes to think of a better set of words for the acronym SMART goals:
- Simple
- Memorable
- Aspirational
- Rewarding
- True
Here's why this SMART acronym is bang on for goal setting:
Simple
A goal doesn't need to be complicated. The more simple the goal, the more powerful. Goals are the end result, not the tactics on the 'how' to do stuff. Here's some simple goal examples. "Grow revenue by 5%", "Run 5k in less than 30 mins", "Generate more pipeline for sales", "Write every day for 100 days". Simple goals may be less specific, but I really believe goals have to be at a macro level. Not everyone will agree with me - but when simple goals are combined with the following four points, they become very powerful.
Memorable
Simple and memorable go together in perfect harmony. The point is this - why have a goal, if you can't remember it? A goal is usually a longer term commitment. Something you need to work at everyday. If you don't live the goal you will fail. You need it etched in your brain, not on a spreadsheet or HR system that you need to look-up. Forgotten goals are a complete waste of time. Make your goals memorable.
Aspirational
Generally we all have daily wins. We are all growing and achieving better things each day. That's capitalism and growth at work, things bubble along nicely and we if we ride the current on the whole we will succeed. But, that's not a goal, that's just the norm. A goal should be a disrupter, that's what I aspire to. I'm not settling for a goal that doesn't push me - no one should. Equally, we rarely, if ever acheive goals on our own. An aspirational goal is something that a team will get behind too.
Rewarding
What's the point in setting a goal if there is no reward. A reward doesn't need to me monetary by the way, it could be in the form of recognition, fitness, more time, love, gratitude,, winning awards. Money helps though, it can be a motivator for sure, but not always. The reward should be personal. So many times, I've seen SMART goals, that just don't reward success. "It's your job" is not exactly a reward for hitting goals, especially aspirational ones. A compelling reward is fundamental to success.
True
True goals, are things that we really honestly want in life or work, and we are prepared to do whatever it takes to achieve them. It often takes a huge amount of self sacrifice and single mindedness, but if you truly want something in your life, then you have to do what it takes to get there. If you develop goals that aren't true, you are just setting yourself up to fail.
Cheers and all the best.