Goal Setting Business Procedures

Why is goal setting important? They give us a sense of direction. They give us a sense of direction. They motivate us to achieve. They motivate us to achieve. They make us feel good about ourselves and what we do. They make us feel good about ourselves and what we do. They point out strengths. They point out strengths. They make us aware of our weaknesses. They make us aware of our weaknesses.

Types of Goals Long-term Long-term Short-term Short-term

Long-Term Time = more than 1 week Time = more than 1 week Usually life-changing Usually life-changing These goals are the “big picture” These goals are the “big picture”

Short-Term Time = Less than one week Time = Less than one week “Stepping Stones” to Long-term “Stepping Stones” to Long-term

Defining SMART Goals S = specific S = specific M = measurable M = measurable A = attainable A = attainable R = realistic R = realistic T = Timely T = Timely

S pecific Goals should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen. Goals should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen. Specifics help us focus our efforts and clearly define what we are going to do. Specifics help us focus our efforts and clearly define what we are going to do.

S pecific To set a specific goal you must answer the six "W" questions: Who Who What What Where Where When When Which Which Why Why

S pecific EXAMPLE: A general goal would be, "Get in shape." But a Specific goal would say, "Join a health club and workout 3 days a week."

M easurable Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. Choose a goal with measurable progress, so you can see the change occur. Choose a goal with measurable progress, so you can see the change occur.

M easurable To determine if your goal is measurable, ask questions such as To determine if your goal is measurable, ask questions such as How much? How much? How many? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished? How will I know when it is accomplished? If you can't measure it, you can't manage it. If you can't measure it, you can't manage it.

A ttainable When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. You can attain most any goal you set when you plan your steps wisely and establish a time frame that allows you to carry out those steps. You can attain most any goal you set when you plan your steps wisely and establish a time frame that allows you to carry out those steps.

A ttainable When you list your goals you build your self-image. When you list your goals you build your self-image. A goal needs to stretch you slightly so you feel you can do it and it will need a real commitment from you. A goal needs to stretch you slightly so you feel you can do it and it will need a real commitment from you.

R ealistic This is not a synonym for "easy." Realistic, in this case, means "do-able." This is not a synonym for "easy." Realistic, in this case, means "do-able." A high goal is frequently easier to reach than a low one because a low goal exerts low motivational force. A high goal is frequently easier to reach than a low one because a low goal exerts low motivational force.

R ealistic To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. Your goal is probably realistic if you truly believe that it can be accomplished. Your goal is probably realistic if you truly believe that it can be accomplished.

T imely A goal should be grounded within a time frame. A goal should be grounded within a time frame. Putting an end point on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards. Putting an end point on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards. With no time frame tied to it there's no sense of urgency. With no time frame tied to it there's no sense of urgency.

T imely T can also stand for Tangible T can also stand for Tangible A goal is tangible when you can experience it with one of the senses, that is, taste, touch, smell, sight or hearing. A goal is tangible when you can experience it with one of the senses, that is, taste, touch, smell, sight or hearing. When your goal is tangible you have a better chance of making it specific and measurable and thus attainable. When your goal is tangible you have a better chance of making it specific and measurable and thus attainable.

S.M.A.R.T Goal Samples My goal is to earn a higher salary. My goal is to earn a higher salary. My goal is to make a minimum of 50K (including bonuses) by 2010 by taking professional development courses on leadership, applying for leadership positions within my company and talking to my supervisor and HR representative so they are aware of my goal. My goal is to make a minimum of 50K (including bonuses) by 2010 by taking professional development courses on leadership, applying for leadership positions within my company and talking to my supervisor and HR representative so they are aware of my goal.

Sample To learn Access database software by the end of the 1 st quarter. To learn Access database software by the end of the 1 st quarter. To develop a customer database using Access software that will include customers’ demographic and contact information. The database will be tested by the end of the 1 st quarter and implemented for department use by May 15. This will allow department to more readily contact customers when needed. To develop a customer database using Access software that will include customers’ demographic and contact information. The database will be tested by the end of the 1 st quarter and implemented for department use by May 15. This will allow department to more readily contact customers when needed.

Activity On a sheet of paper, re-write the following goals using the S.M.A.R.T. guidelines. On a sheet of paper, re-write the following goals using the S.M.A.R.T. guidelines. Finishing assignments Finishing assignments Finding a Prom date Finding a Prom date Go to College Go to College Get a Job Get a Job