Setting SMART Goals
In this article, we discuss the objective of a SMART goal, and how it provides a clear path to achievement in whatever it is you do.
By Mackenzie Roberts — February 21, 2023
Everyone has set a goal at some point in their lives whether it be big or small. We set goals in sports, school, careers, and our personal lives. However, manycpeople will set a goal and never achieve it. Perhaps they had too much on their plate or maybe it just was not realistic at the time. There is more to setting a goal than just declaring it. This article will discuss the significance of setting SMART goals as a method to increase the likelihood of achieving your aspirations.
You may have heard of a SMART goal at some point. I had heard this of this acronym briefly but was deeply introduced to it in a leadership class in my junior year of college. As we reviewed the concept, I began to reconsider the goals that I had. It became clear to me that the reason I was not getting the satisfaction that I needed from the goals that I had set was that they were not SMART!
What does SMART Stand for?
So, what is a SMART goal? SMART is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant/realistic, and timely. The hope is that these elements combined create a framework that provides a clear path to attaining whatever goal you have in mind. SMART goals aid in keeping you motivated and can save time. Let's break down each step.
Being Specific with Your Goal
What does it mean to set a specific goal? When setting a goal, you want to avoid generalization and a lack of details. Your goal should be as narrow as possible and easy to understand. A good example of a specific goal is "I am going to earn the spot as vice president of the student government at college this month." To get even more specific, try laying out the details on a piece of paper. One way to get specific with your goal is by asking the five "W" questions of who, what, when, where, and why? Ask yourself, “Who and what is involved in my goal?” And, "When and where will this be carried out?" Provide a clear path to your objective.
Having a Measurable
The next element is measurable. Making sure your goal is measurable allows you to check in and see what kind of progress you are making in attaining your objective and what is left to complete. An appropriate question you could ask yourself to assure your goal is measurable is "How many and how much?" This part of your goal will act as evidence of your progress. This might be an area that needs to be reevaluated as you progress.
Attainable Goals
The next part is extremely important in determining whether or not you are going to achieve your goal. The “A” in SMART stands for attainable. Too often we set goals that are not achievable given our situation. This does not go to say your goal cannot be challenging! You want to make sure you have the capability and necessary tools available to achieve the goal. It is easy to get discouraged when a goal is not attainable and can even result in abandoning it entirely. Be honest with yourself during this step and do not bite off more than you can chew.
Ensuring Your Goal is Relevant
The element to include in your plan is making sure your goal is relevant. You want to make sure that your goal is worth your time and effort. Completing a goal should feel satisfactory and meet your needs. An appropriate question to ask yourself at this point is, "Is this goal consistent with my long-term plans?" Your goals should contribute to your success and you want to avoid wasting time on goals that do not support your overall well-being.
Timley Goals
Lastly, your goal should be timely. When determining a timetable for attaining a goal, it is important that you push yourself toward getting the job done promptly. Set a specific date to achieve your goal. This will provide you with a feeling of urgency and encourage you to properly manage your time. However, it is also important to avoid unrealistic time tables that will create unnecessary stress and delay your progress.
Making sure your goal is SMART increases the likelihood that you will meet your goals and college is a great place to practice this method of goal setting. As a college student, you more than likely have a busy schedule that includes multiple priorities. Your obvious and large goal is to graduate and obtain a degree, but what does it take to reach that point, and what is occurring in the mean time? You know you want to graduate but think about attendance, social life, grades, and post-graduate opportunities such as internships and your career. The objective of a SMART goal is to provide a clear path to achievement in whatever it is you do. It is a concept that you will more than likely continue to hear in your education and career, so start practicing!
Mackenzie Roberts
Mackenzie Roberts is a senior at William Penn University majoring in History and Political Science. On campus, Mackenzie is an active presence, enjoying her roles as Student Ambassador and the Department Assistant for Social and Behavioral Sciences. Mackenzie loves college student life and expanding her knowledge on various topics.
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