Here are the Keys to Setting SMART Goals for Personal Success

Are you ready to set yourself up for success? Having an actionable plan and clear goal-setting tactics are essential if you want to achieve your dreams. But, it's not easy to do this on your own; that’s why SMART goals exist.

The acronym SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely—five criteria used in setting effective goals. When used in combination with dedication and hard work, any big dream can become a reality with the help of these useful tips for getting started on the path towards personal success!

The Origin of SMART Goals

The acronym SMART was coined by George Doran, James Cunningham and Arthur Miller in their 1981 paper, "There's a S.M.A.R.T way to write management goals and objectives."

The paper outlines how setting goals using the SMART criteria helps to ensure that the desired outcome is achieved quickly, efficiently and accurately.

The Definition of SMART Goals

SMART goals are defined as having specific target objectives, measurable steps which can be tracked, attainable milestones which are achievable, relevant results in line with an overarching goal, and timely deadlines for completing tasks.

How to Use SMART Goals

SMART goals can be broken down into five key elements:

1. Specific – Goals should have clear, specific objectives that can be easily communicated to others. This could include detailed descriptions of what will happen when the goal is achieved.

2. Measurable – Goals should have predetermined milestones to measure progress and ensure that the goal is on track.

3. Attainable – Goals should be realistic, achievable and achievable within a set timeline.

4. Relevant – Goals should be relevant to the overall objectives of an individual or organization in order to remain useful.

5. Timely – Goals should have achievable timelines to ensure that progress is made and that the goal is completed in a timely manner.

Tips for staying on track with SMART Goals:

1. Set realistic goals

If your goal is to lose weight, don't set a goal of losing 20 pounds in one month. Not only is this goal unrealistic, but it's also unhealthy. A more realistic and healthy goal would be to lose two to three pounds per week.

2. Set specific goals

It's not enough to just set a general goal like "lose weight." You need to be specific about what you want to achieve. A specific goal might be "to lose 20 pounds in three months."

3. Set measurable goals

Your goal should be something that you can measure so that you can track your progress. A measurable goal might be "to lose two inches off my waist in three months."

4. Set achievable goals

Your goal should be something that you can actually achieve. An achievable goal might be "to walk for 30 minutes every day."

5. Set time-bound goals

Your goal should have a deadline so that you can stay on track and not get sidetracked by other things. A time-bound goal might be "to lose 20 pounds in three months."

6. Make sure your goals are relevant to your overall health and fitness goals

If your goal is to improve your overall health, then setting a goal to lose weight is relevant. However, if your goal is to improve your cardiovascular fitness, then setting a goal to run a marathon might be more relevant.

7. Make sure your goals are attainable and realistic

As mentioned before, your goals should be something that you can actually achieve. This means that they should neither be too easy nor too difficult. If your goal is too easy, you'll likely get bored and give up quickly. If your goal is too difficult, you'll likely get discouraged and give up quickly as well. The key is to find a balance between the two extremes.

8 .Make sure your goals are challenging but achievable

Once again, you don't want your goals to be too easy or too difficult . A good way to make sure they're challenging but achievable is to set smaller goals that will lead up to your larger goal .

For example , if your larger goal is to run a marathon , then your smaller goals might include running a 5K , 10K , and half marathon . By gradually increasing the distance you're running , you'll make sure that your larger goal is both challenging and achievable .

9 .Set yourself up for success by removing any obstacles in your way

If there are things that could potentially prevent you from achieving your goal , then take steps to remove those obstacles . For example , if one of your obstacles is lack of motivation , then consider signing up for a race or joining a running club . Having accountability partners will help increase the chances of success .

10 .Create a plan of action and stick to it

Once you have all of the above in place , it 's time to create a plan of action and stick to it . This means setting aside time each week to train , making healthy food choices , and staying motivated throughout the process . It 's also important to remember that setbacks are norm al and part of the journey towards reaching your smart goals.

Quotes to inspire you to achieve your SMART goals

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

- "If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things." - Albert Einstein

- "Strive for progress, not perfection." - Unknown

- "Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible." - Tony Robbins

- "A year from now you may wish you had started today." - Karen Lamb

Conclusion

Setting SMART goals is an effective way to ensure that you stay on track and reach your goals. Remember to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound, challenging but attainable and set yourself up for success by removing any obstacles. And finally create a plan of action and stick to it. With the right attitude and dedication, you can reach any goal that you set your mind to achieve.

Read my previous article here: