S. M. A.R. T. Goal Setting

The “W” Questions When setting your goal, make sure you can answer the 6 "W" questions: Who, What, When, Where, Which, and Why. The more specific a goal is, the more you can find ways of reaching your target. Ask questions such as: Who is involved? What do I want to accomplish? Where will this happen? Identify a location. When will this happen? Establish a time frame. Which requirements and restraints will be part of the process? Identify them. Why am I setting this goal? Jot down the specific reasons and benefits of accomplishing this goal.

Specific vs. Vague Goals Know the difference between a specific goal and a vague goal. For example, there is a difference between saying, "I want to lose weight" and "I want to lose 30 pounds." When you set a goal to lose 30 pounds, you can measure your progress as you decrease your weight from 30 pounds, down to 25, down to 20, and so on. This will help you see progress and motivate you to keep pushing forward. Other examples of specific and vague goals: Vague: Get in shape for the summer. Specific: Join a hot yoga studio and practice 4 times a week over the next 3 months. Vague: Own a home. Specific: Put 50% of income into savings account for the next 12 months and talk to a realtor at the end of 12 months.

Specific The Goal should identify a specific action or event that will take place. EXAMPLE; “By the end of 2012 (the when),I (the who) am proudly earning 50,000 dollars a year in a grade 4 teaching job (the what) in New York (the where)”.

Have Concrete Criteria Have a yardstick for measuring outcomes. Know that a goal without a measurable outcome is like a sports competition without a scoreboard. Put concrete numbers in your goals to know if you're falling behind or if you're on track. Ask questions such as: How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished? What is at the finish line? Set a daily reminder to track and measure your progress: Keep a journal, put up a whiteboard at the office, use your smartphone to download a tracking app — these are all tangible ways to track your development.

Measurable The goal and its benefits should be quantifiable. EXAMPLE; Paychecks from my 50,000 dollar annual salary are deposited into my bank account each month. I am working in a new grade 4 teaching job". I am living in New York.

Achievable The goal should be attainable given available resources. Ask yourself the following questions: Are you prepared to make the commitment to reach your target? Are you willing to dramatically alter or at least tweak aspects your life? Draft realistic goals. Based on the present restrictions such as your schedule, workload, and knowledge, do you believe you can attain the objective you set? If not, then set a different goal, one that is attainable for you in the present. Is there a more achievable target you are willing to work for?

Realistic The goal should require you to stretch some, but allow the likelihood of success. Set goals that are realistic. If you are 40 pounds overweight and haven't exercised in 10 years, it'd be a pretty unrealistic goal to run a triathlon with 2 months of training. So set a goal you have a realistic chance of achieving. Make the goal relevant to your life's reality. For instance, if a weight-loss buddy thinks your goal should be to compete in a ballroom dancing competition, but you hate ballroom dancing and have stage fright, choose a different goal.

Timely The goal should state the time period in which it will be accomplished. SMART goals should be time-bound, meaning they should have a deadline or there should be a date for completion. Setting a deadline reinforces the seriousness of the goal in your mind. It motivates you to take action. Have a sense of urgency. If you want to raise your credit score to 720, when do you want to raise it by? “Someday” won’t work. But if you anchor it within a timeframe (example: Raise credit from 700 to 720 in 12-18 months), then you’ve set your mind into motion to begin working on the goal. Within your established time frame, ask yourself: What can I do TODAY to reach my goal? What can I do 3 weeks from now to reach my goal? What can I do 3 months from now to reach my goal?

“By the end of 2012 (the when),I (the who) am proudly earning 50,000 dollars a year in a grade 4 teaching job (the what) in New York (the where)”.

S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting Specific; The Goal should identify a specific action or event that will take place. Measureable; The goal and its benefits should be quantifiable. Achievable; The goal should be attainable given available resources. Realistic; The goal should require you to stretch some, but allow the likelihood of success. Timely; The goal should state the time period in which it will be accomplished.