SMART Goals

Using the SMART goal system can help guide you to plan and achieve your goals. Goals should be: Specific; Measurable; Achievable; Relevant; and Time-bound.

Specific

Is your goal specific?

• What do you want to accomplish?
• Who needs to be included?
• When do you want to do this?
• Why is this a goal?

Measurable

Is your goal measurable?

• How can you measure progress toward meeting your goal?
• How will you know if you’ve successfully met your goal?

Achievable

Is your goal achievable?

• Be realistic when setting goals.
• The goal should be challenging enough so that it is worthwhile to work on.
• Do you have the skills required to achieve the goals? If not, can you obtain them?
• Is the amount of effort required on the same level with what the goal will achieve?

Relevant

Is your goal relevant?

• Why are you setting this goal now?
• Is this goal results-focused? It should focus on an outcome, not an activity or exercise.
• Is it aligned with your overall objectives?
• As time goes on, you may need to re-evaluate your goal to ensure it is still relevant.

Time-bound

Is your goal time-bound?

• What is the deadline and is it realistic?
• Set deadlines for short-term goals that must be completed before the final long-term goal.