All of us move forward in life with some end goal in mind. Be it short-term or long-term goals, without an objective in mind, the daily activities begin to seem quite futile. They provide you with a sense of direction in life, and not only inspire you to push yourself but also lift up others along the way. As goals are so important in life, it is necessary to set the kind of goals that will bear some fruits in your life. This is where SMART goals come in, which is a tactic devised to set appropriate objectives which can be both rational and feasible. Keep reading to find out more about this terrific goal-setting plan.
What Does SMART Goal Settingstand For?
SMART is a useful pneumonic device that is designed to remember how to set pragmatic goals, wherein:
- S stands for Specific
- M stands for Measurable
- A stands for Achievable
- R stands for Realistic
- T stands for Timely
Specific Goals
Ambiguous goals often have low chances of success, so it is better to set specific and concise goals which clearly enumerate the various details involved in the objectives. It helps to answer the five main Ws before setting specific goals. These include questions such as who is participating in the achievement of the goal, where is this goal supposed to be reached, what does this goal aim to achieve, why does the participant wish to accomplish this goal and when is this goal going to be fulfilled. Answering these questions ensures that you are clear about what you want to achieve and make level-headed decisions regarding it. These questions can be used for setting the simplest of goals, such as losing weight or cutting down on caffeine consumption.
Measurable Goals
Without any quantitative measurement that indicates how much of the goal has been achieved or how much is left, it becomes difficult to ascertain the current level of success. Setting certain measurable parameters helps in tracking progress, thereby enabling better results. You can set a proper indicator for your
results, ask yourself questions like how much of the goal has been achieved and how will you know when the goal has been fulfilled. For example, if you wish to start working out more, then you may set a goal of working out for at least one hour per day and track how much you begin with, and then gradually work your way upwards.
Achievable Goals
Setting doable goals which can be achieved by you forms the crux of goal-setting. While the goal should make you push yourself and stretch your capabilities, it should also not be out of your reach no matter how hard you try. Ask yourself if you are fully equipped with the kind of resources necessary to achieve these goals and whether or not you can procure them. You may even calculate a success rate depending on the results people you know have generated. Setting impractical goals can be a huge demotivating factor and may not sustain you in the long run, so ensure to set pragmatic ones.
Realistic Goals
The line between setting realistic and achievable goals can often get quite blurry. However, they are both equally important. Setting realistic goals is impertinent as ensures that the objectives can be accomplished using the currently available resources. Consider the time and effort that you can direct towards achieving these goals and ask yourself if it can be successfully performed. You may ask yourself if you are willing to fully commit to achieving this goal, and will be able to maintain the same sense of commitment well into the future.
Timely Goals
If your goal is not bound by a time constraint, then it might lead to a certain level of complacency, which could be a huge demotivating factor. In order to avoid this, set a specific start and finish date for achieving this goal. Setting deadlines imbibes a sense of urgency and helps you push yourself to achieve it. For example, if your goal is to improve your grades, then you may set a deadline until the middle of the semester to boost your grades by at least 50%. To conclude, setting SMART goals allows you to be more consistent and achieve realistic goals, which provide a sense of fulfillment upon their accomplishment. This method of setting goals allows you to steer clear of any vague objectives which lose their motivating value within a short period of time. So, the next time you have to set a goal, make sure they adhere to the parameters of SMART goals and watch as you become the best version of yourself.
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