One of the biggest culprits for when we are struggling to accomplish something is a vague and poorly defined goal. Without a solid goal, every distraction and challenge can easily steer us off course. If our destination is vague, how can we expect to reorient ourselves or even get to where we want to go. The image of a ship aiming for an island instead of a specific port comes to mind. One can easily get caught in rogue currents and miss the island completely or perhaps worse, hit a rocky shore far from the safety of a harbor.

There are many tools available to guide one’s goal setting to clarify your ideas, focus your efforts, use your time and resources productively, and increase your chances of achieving what you want in life.

To make sure your goals are clear and reachable, each one should be SMART:

Specific (simple, sensible, significant).
Measurable (meaningful, motivating).
Achievable (agreed, attainable).
Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based).
Time-bound (time-based, time-limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive).

As you can see there are a few definitions for the acronym. Some authors have expanded it to include extra focus areas. For example, SMARTER includes Evaluated and Reviewed to reflect the importance of efficacy and feedback.

Specific

You won’t be able to focus your efforts or feel truly motivated to achieve a goal if it is not clear and specific. When drafting your goal, try to answer the five “W” questions:

• What do I want to accomplish?
• Why is this goal important?
• Who is involved?
• Where is it located?
• Which resources or limits are involved?

Measurable

To track your progress and stay motivated, it’s important to have measurable goals. Assessing one’s progress will help one stay focused, meet deadlines, and feel the excitement of getting closer to achieving one’s goal.

A measurable goal should address questions such as:

• How much?
• How many?
• How will I know when it is accomplished?

Achievable

To be successful, ultimately one’s goal needs to be realistic and attainable. While it should stretch your abilities, it must still remain possible.
Use caution when setting goals that someone else has power over. For example, “Get that job!” depends on who else applies, and on the recruiter’s decision. But “Get the experience and training that I need to be considered for that promotion” is entirely down to you.

An achievable goal will usually answer questions such as:

• How can I accomplish this goal?
• How realistic is the goal, based on other constraints, such as financial factors?

Relevant

In setting a goal, it is important to ensure that the goal matters to you, and that it also aligns with other relevant goals. We all need support and assistance in achieving our goals, but it’s important to retain control over them. When working with a team, make sure that your plans drive everyone forward, so that it is relevant to everyone.

A relevant goal can answer “yes” to these questions:

• Does this seem worthwhile?
• Is this the right time?
• Does this match our other efforts/needs?
• Am I the right person to reach this goal?
• Is it applicable in the current socio-economic environment?

Time-bound

Every goal needs a target date that provides a deadline to focus on and something to work toward. This pressure helps to prevent everyday tasks from taking priority over one’s longer-term goals.

A time-bound goal will usually answer these questions:

• When?
• What can I do six months from now?
• What can I do six weeks from now?
• What can I do today?