We all have certain things that we wish for or hope for. However, they can be more than just wishes! In order to make them reality, we must plan. Today we’ll discuss how to set yourself up for success by creating S.M.A.R.T. goals for yourself.
What is a S.M.A.R.T. goal?
S -Specific
M -Measurable
A – Achievable
R – Relevant
T – Time-bound
Why should we have S.M.A.R.T. goals?
In order to have a real chance at accomplishing your goal, it should have all of those parts. Otherwise you’re just relying on luck. Let’s discuss each one.
Specific
Your goal needs to be clear and answer the 5 W’s: Who, What, When, Where, Why. Rather than say your goal is to save, give it details!
Example: I want to save $500 to buy myself a new monitor in thirteen weeks so I can have a better work space and thus be more productive when I work from home.
Measurable
You should be able to quantify how you know you’re working toward it. If it involves saving, break it up into weekly, biweekly, or monthly goals so you can track your progress.
Example: I will save $38.47 each week to buy the monitor in 13 weeks.
Achievable
Your goal needs to be realistic and something that you can accomplish with your current situation in mind.
Example: If I only have $40 dollars a week of discretionary, or fun, money: I can’t tell myself I’m going to take the majority of it and put it towards this purchase. I know realistically I’m not going to be able to only spend $1.53 per week on myself. Inevitably, I will end up spending more on doing fun things for me and then never accomplish my goal. However, if I have $40 dollars a week for fun money, perhaps I would be ok taking $5 dollars a week to put toward my goal. I could also cut some money from another part of my budget in order to fund this goal, and while I would totally do that if my goal were a trip somewhere…However, there is no way I will ever do that in order to purchase a monitor. Nope. Not gonna happen.
Relevant
Your goal should align with your long term objectives. If I know I don’t want to work from home, then I probably shouldn’t spend money to make it happen and just keep heading into the office. On the other hand, I actually do want to work from home and have a well outfitted office space, so that goal does align with my long term objective.
Time-Bound
Every goal has to have a deadline. Otherwise it’s just a daydream. By giving yourself a set deadline you will create a sense of urgency for yourself and motivate yourself to achieve it by that date.
Using this method will allow you to create a goal that you are more likely to achieve. So think of something you really want and write up your goal in this fashion. You’ll be surprised at what you can achieve if you only plan for it, rather than just hoping it will happen.
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