Business Communication: SMART Goals

 

1st use of Term SMART:

The SMART acronym was used by George t. Doran in 1981 for a magazine named as: there is a smart way to write the management's goals & objectives.

SMART is an acronym that stands for:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Realistic
• Time-bound

SMART Goal – Specific

Specific goals have a significantly greater chance of being accomplished. To make a goal specific, the five “W” questions must be considered:

1. Who: Who is involved in this goal?
2. What: What do I want to accomplish?
3. Where: Where is this goal to be achieved?
4. When: When do I want to achieve this goal?
5. Why: Why do I want to achieve this goal?

SMART Goal – Measurable

A SMART goal should have criteria for measuring progress. If there are no criteria, you will not be able to determine your progress and if you are on track to reach your goal. To make a goal measurable, ask yourself: 

1. How many/much?
2. How do I know if I have reached my goal?
3. What is my indicator of progress?

SMART Goal – Achievable

A SMART goal must be achievable and attainable. This will help you figure out ways you can realize that goal and work towards it. The achievability of the goal should be stretched to make you feel challenged, but defined well enough that you can actually achieve it. Ask yourself:

1. Do I have the resources and capabilities to achieve the goal? If not, what am I missing?
2. Have others done it successfully before?

SMART Goal – Realistic

A SMART goal must be realistic in that the goal can be realistically achieved given the available resources and time. A SMART goal is likely realistic if you believe that it can be accomplished. Ask yourself:

1. Is the goal realistic and within reach?
2. Is the goal reachable, given the time and resources?
3. Are you able to commit to achieving the goal?

SMART Goal – Timely

A SMART goal must be time-bound in that it has a start and finish date. If the goal is not time-constrained, there will be no sense of urgency and, therefore, less motivation to achieve the goal. Ask yourself:

1. Does my goal have a deadline?
2. By when do you want to achieve your goal?

Why the smart goals are so Important?

Smart is one of the most useful tools that provide the focus, clarity & the motivation that you need to achieve your desired goals. It can also improve your abilities to reach them by encouraging you to define your objectives and set a completion date beforehand.

Another thing that is very important when setting smart goals, is formulating it positively. Always remember that what you focus on, increases. Hence when you focus on not doing something, all you think about is that thing and it will increase. So you don't 'stop procrastinating', but 'achieve a daily discipline'.