How do you set SMART Goals?

It’s now March, 2021 and I’m pretty sure some of you (if not most) set New Year’s Resolutions. How are you doing with those? Did you know that research shows only 8% of people accomplish their New Year Resolutions?

Let’s skip the resolutions and create goals instead. Goals that are SMART and written down are most likely to be accomplished.

SMART goals are those goals that are

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-bound

Specific

What is it that you want to do? The goal should be specific so that you can determine your course of action.

Measurable

How will you know you’ve achieved the goal? The goal should include a way to measure progress and success.

Achievable

Can you accomplish the goal? Make sure you can accomplish the goal within the set timeframe.

Relevant

Does the goal make sense for your job, business, or life? Your goals should align with your values and objectives.

Time-bound

How long will you give yourself to accomplish the goal? Set a realistic end-date to help you prioritize and stay motivated.

For example, let’s say you want to tackle finances this year. Your SMART financial goal could be framed as Pay off the $600 credit card balance by June 30, 2021.

It’s also helpful to remember WHY you’re trying to accomplish your goals. When you feel yourself getting off track, remember your WHY. Be sure to plan to reward yourself for your progress and achievements.

As you think about your goals a great way to hold yourself accountable is to create a vision board. A vision board can be a visual representation of your goals and can serve as motivation throughout the year.

What’s one goal you are setting this year? Talk to me in the comments.