How to Set and Achieve SMART Goals in 5 Easy Steps

 Do you have goals that you want to achieve in your personal or professional life? If so, you are not alone. Many people have goals that they want to pursue, whether it is to start a business, learn a new skill, travel the world, or improve their health. However, not all goals are created equal. 

Some goals are vague, unrealistic, or irrelevant, while others are clear, realistic, and meaningful. How can you tell the difference? And how can you set and achieve goals that will help you succeed in life and work?

SMART goals also help you track your progress and measure your results, which can boost your motivation and satisfaction.In this blog post, we will explain what SMART goals are and why they are important for personal and professional success. We will also show you how to set SMART goals using the five criteria of the SMART acronym. We will also provide you with some tips and tools for achieving your SMART goals, such as creating an action plan, tracking your progress, overcoming challenges, rewarding yourself, and reviewing and adjusting your goals. By the end of this blog post, you will be able to set and achieve your own SMART goals in any area of your life or work.

What are SMART Goals and Why are They Important?

SMART goals are a type of goal setting technique that helps you create effective and actionable goals that are aligned with your vision and values. SMART goals also help you track your progress and measure your results, which can boost your motivation and satisfaction.

SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These are the five criteria that make a goal SMART. Let’s look at each criterion in more detail:

• Specific: A specific goal is clear, well-defined, concrete, focused, and precise. It answers the questions: What do you want to achieve? Why do you want to achieve it? Who is involved? Where will it happen? How will it happen?
• Measurable: A measurable goal is quantifiable, trackable, verifiable, assessable, and observable. It answers the question: How will you know when you have achieved your goal? It also specifies the indicators or metrics that you will use to measure your progress and results.
• Achievable: An achievable goal is realistic, feasible, possible, and doable. It answers the question: How realistic is your goal given your current situation and resources? It also identifies the skills or knowledge that you need to acquire or improve, and the support or assistance that you need to achieve your goal.
• Relevant: A relevant goal is aligned, meaningful, significant, appropriate, and worthwhile. It answers the question: How does your goal align with your values, interests, and aspirations? It also considers how your goal fits with your other goals or priorities, and how it benefits you or others.
• Time-bound: A time-bound goal is timely, deadline-driven, time-sensitive, time-limited, and time-specific. It answers the question: When do you want to achieve your goal? It also sets a deadline or timeframe for your goal achievement. It also breaks down your goal into smaller milestones or sub-goals.

Using these five criteria to set your goals can help you make them more effective and actionable. SMART goals can help you:

• Clarify your vision and direction
• Focus your efforts and resources
• Motivate yourself and others
• Monitor your progress and results
• Achieve your desired outcomes

To illustrate the difference between SMART goals and non-SMART goals, let’s look at some examples:

Non-SMART Goal	SMART Goal
I want to lose weight	I want to lose 10 kg of body fat in 6 months by following a balanced diet and exercising for 30 minutes every day
I want to learn a new skill	I want to learn how to play the guitar in 3 months by taking online lessons twice a week and practicing for 15 minutes every day
I want to grow my business	I want to increase my sales by 20% in the next quarter by launching a new marketing campaign and hiring two more salespeople

As you can see from the above examples, SMART goals are more specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound than non-SMART goals. They also provide a clear roadmap for how to achieve them.

How to Set SMART Goals

Now that you know what SMART goals are and why they are important, let’s see how you can set them using the five criteria of the SMART acronym.

The first step is to identify your goal area or domain. This can be any area of your life or work that you want to improve or change, such as career development, personal growth, health and fitness, finance, education, etc.

The second step is to define your goal using the SMART criteria. You can use the following questions to help you define your goal more specifically:

• What do you want to achieve?
• Why do you want to achieve it?
• Who is involved?
• Where will it happen?
• How will it happen?

You can also use the following examples to help you make your goal more measurable:

• How will you know when you have achieved your goal?
• What indicators or metrics will you use?
• How often will you measure your progress?

You can also use the following examples to help you make your goal more achievable:

• How realistic is your goal given your current situation and resources?
• What skills or knowledge do you need to acquire or improve?
• What support or assistance do you need?

You can also use the following examples to help you make your goal more relevant:

• How does your goal align with your values, interests, and aspirations?
• How does your goal fit with your other goals or priorities?
• How does your goal benefit you or others?

You can also use the following examples to help you make your goal more time-bound:

• When do you want to achieve your goal?
• What is your deadline or timeframe?
• How will you break down your goal into smaller milestones or sub-goals?

The third step is to write down your goal using the SMART goal template or the SMART goal worksheet. The SMART goal template is a simple sentence that summarizes your goal using the SMART criteria. 

For example:

I want to (specific) by (measurable) in (time-bound) because (relevant).

The SMART goal worksheet is a more detailed document that outlines your goal using the SMART criteria. It also includes additional information such as your action plan, progress tracker, challenges and solutions, and rewards. You can find a sample SMART goal worksheet [here].

Here are some examples of SMART goals using the SMART goal template and the SMART goal worksheet:

Goal Area	SMART Goal Template	SMART Goal Worksheet
Career Development	I want to get promoted to a senior manager position by increasing my sales performance by 15% in the next 6 months because it will advance my career and increase my income.	[Download sample worksheet]
Personal Growth	I want to read 12 books in the next year by reading one book every month because it will expand my knowledge and improve my skills.	[Download sample worksheet]
Health and Fitness	I want to run a half marathon in 4 months by following a training program that involves running 3 times a week and cross-training 2 times a week because it will improve my health and fitness.	[Download sample worksheet]

How to Achieve SMART Goals

Setting SMART goals is only the first step towards achieving them. The next step is to take action and follow through with your plan. Here are some tips and tools for achieving your SMART goals:

Create an Action Plan

An action plan is a document that outlines the steps you need to take to achieve your SMART goal. It also specifies the resources and tools you need, the responsibilities and deadlines for each step, and the potential risks and challenges that may arise along the way.

To create an action plan for your SMART goal, you can use the following tips:

• Write down the steps you need to take in a logical order. For example, if your goal is to learn how to play the guitar, some steps may be: buy a guitar, find an online course, sign up for the course, watch the first lesson, practice the first lesson, etc.
• Assign a deadline and a responsibility for each step. For example, if your goal is to run a half marathon, some deadlines and responsibilities may be: buy running shoes by next week, find a training program by next week, start training on Monday, run 5 km on Monday, etc.
• Identify the resources and tools you need for each step. For example, if your goal is to read 12 books in a year, some resources and tools may be: a library card, a reading list, a book tracker app, a bookmark, etc.
• Anticipate the potential risks and challenges for each step and plan how to mitigate them. For example, if your goal is to get promoted to a senior manager position, some risks and challenges may be: competition from other candidates, lack of feedback from your boss, stress from increased workload, etc. You can plan how to deal with them by: networking with other managers, asking for regular feedback from your boss, managing your time and energy effectively, etc.

You can use various tools and templates to help you create an action plan for your SMART goal, such as [this one].

Track Your Progress and Measure Your Results

To achieve your SMART goals, you need to track your progress and measure your results. This can help you:

• Stay focused and motivated
• Evaluate your performance and feedback
• Celebrate your achievements and learn from your mistakes

To track your progress and measure your results, you can use the following tips:

• Use a goal tracker app or a dashboard to monitor your progress and results. There are many apps and tools that can help you track your goals, such as [Goal Tracker & Habit List], [Strides], [Trello], [Asana], etc. You can choose the one that suits your needs and preferences.
• Set regular checkpoints or reviews to evaluate your performance and feedback. You can set weekly, monthly, or quarterly reviews to assess how well you are doing with your SMART goals. You can use the SMART goal worksheet or the SMART goal statement to revisit and revise your goals. You can also ask for feedback from others who are involved or interested in your goals, such as your boss, colleagues, mentors, friends, or family.
• Celebrate your achievements and learn from your mistakes. Whenever you reach a milestone or complete a sub-goal, you should reward yourself and celebrate your success. You can also share your success with others who support you or appreciate you. This can boost your motivation and satisfaction. At the same time, you should also learn from your mistakes and failures. You should not let them discourage you or stop you from pursuing your goals. Instead, you should analyze what went wrong and how you can improve in the future.

Achieving SMART goals is not always easy or smooth. You may encounter various challenges and obstacles along the way that may hinder or delay your goal achievement. These may include:

• Internal challenges, such as lack of motivation, confidence, skills, knowledge, or resources
• External challenges, such as competition, opposition, criticism, or changes in the environment
• Unexpected challenges, such as accidents, emergencies, crises, or disasters

To overcome these challenges and obstacles, you can use the following tips:

• Use contingency planning or problem-solving techniques to deal with unexpected situations or difficulties. You should anticipate the potential risks and challenges for each step of your action plan and plan how to mitigate them. You should also have a backup plan or an alternative solution in case something goes wrong.
• Seek help or advice from others who have experience or expertise in your goal area. You do not have to achieve your SMART goals alone. You can seek help or advice from others who have achieved similar goals or who have relevant skills or knowledge. You can also join a community or a group of people who share your goals or interests, such as a club, a class, a forum, etc.
• Stay positive and resilient and remind yourself of your purpose and motivation. Achieving SMART goals requires persistence and perseverance. You should not give up easily or lose sight of why you are pursuing your goals. You should stay positive and resilient and remind yourself of the benefits and rewards of achieving your goals. You should also use positive affirmations or inspirational quotes to boost your self-esteem and confidence.

How to Reward Yourself for Achieving Your Goals

One of the most important aspects of achieving SMART goals is to reward yourself for achieving them. Rewarding yourself for achieving your goals can help you:

• Reinforce your positive behavior and habits
• Increase your motivation and satisfaction
• Enhance your well-being and happiness

To reward yourself for achieving your goals, you can use the following tips:

• Choose rewards that are appropriate and proportional to your goal achievement. You should choose rewards that are suitable for the level of difficulty and effort involved in achieving your goal. For example, if you achieve a small sub-goal, you can reward yourself with something simple and inexpensive, such as a movie, a book, a meal, or a hobby. If you achieve a big milestone or complete a main goal, you can reward yourself with something more substantial and valuable, such as a vacation, a gadget, a course, or a certificate.
• Choose rewards that are consistent with your values and interests. You should choose rewards that are meaningful and significant to you, not to others. For example, if you value health and fitness, you should choose rewards that are related to your health and fitness, such as a new pair of running shoes, a massage, a yoga class, or a healthy snack. If you value learning and growth, you should choose rewards that are related to your learning and growth, such as a new book, a course, a podcast, or a mentorship session.
• Choose rewards that are enjoyable and satisfying. You should choose rewards that make you happy and fulfilled, not guilty or regretful. For example, if you enjoy reading, you should reward yourself with a book that you like, not one that you think you should read. If you enjoy traveling, you should reward yourself with a trip that you want to go, not one that others expect you to go.

Here are some examples of rewards that you can use for achieving your SMART goals:

Goal Area	Reward Examples
Career Development	A promotion, a raise, a bonus, a recognition, a certificate, a course, a mentorship session, a networking event, a vacation
Personal Growth	A book, a podcast, a TED talk, a journal, a meditation session, a coaching session, a hobby, a volunteer opportunity
Health and Fitness	A new pair of running shoes, a massage, a yoga class, a healthy snack, a fitness tracker, a gym membership, a personal trainer

How to Review and Adjust Your Goals

The final step in achieving SMART goals is to review and adjust your goals as needed. 

Reviewing and adjusting your goals can help you:

• Stay on track and focused
• Adapt to changing circumstances or feedback
• Improve your performance and results

To review and adjust your goals, you can use the following tips:

• Use the SMART goal statement or the SMART goal worksheet to revisit and revise your goals. You should review your goals regularly and check if they are still relevant, realistic, and meaningful given the changes in your situation or environment. You should also check if your progress and results are satisfactory and consistent with your expectations.
• Adjust your goals accordingly by modifying the criteria, the action plan, or the timeframe. You may need to change some aspects of your SMART goals based on the feedback or the outcomes that you receive. For example, you may need to make your goal more specific or measurable if it is too vague or unclear. You may need to make your goal more achievable or relevant if it is too challenging or irrelevant. You may need to make your goal more time-bound if it is too open-ended or indefinite.

Here are some examples of how to review and adjust your SMART goals:

Goal Area	Review	Adjustment
Career Development	I want to get promoted to a senior manager position by increasing my sales performance by 15% in the next 6 months because it will advance my career and increase my income.	After 3 months of working on this goal, I have increased my sales performance by 10%. However, I have also received feedback from my boss that I need to improve my leadership and communication skills to be eligible for the promotion.
Personal Growth	I want to read 12 books in the next year by reading one book every month because it will expand my knowledge and improve my skills.	After 6 months of working on this goal,
I have read 6 books. However,
I have also realized that I am more interested in some topics than others,
and that some books are more useful and enjoyable than others.	I want to read 12 books in the next year by reading one book every month that is related to my interests and goals because it will expand my knowledge and improve my skills.
Health and Fitness	I want to run a half marathon in 4 months by following a training program that involves running 3 times a week and cross-training 2 times a week because it will improve my health and fitness.	After 2 months of working on this goal,
I have followed the training program faithfully.
However,
I have also encountered some injuries and setbacks that have slowed down my progress and affected my performance.	I want to run a half marathon in 6 months by following a modified training program that involves running 2 times a week and cross-training 3 times a week because it will improve my health and fitness.

Conclusion

SMART goals are a type of goal setting technique that helps you create effective and actionable goals that are aligned with your vision and values. SMART goals also help you track your progress and measure your results, which can boost your motivation and satisfaction.

To set SMART goals, you need to use the five criteria of the SMART acronym: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

By following these steps, you will be able to set and achieve your own SMART goals in any area of your life or work.

We hope this blog post has helped you understand what SMART goals are and how to set and achieve them. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you.

And if you are ready to start setting and achieving your own SMART goals, why not try the free SMART goal worksheets above? It will help you create your own SMART goal statement and action plan in minutes.

Thank you for reading and happy goal setting! 😊