SMART GOALS

SMART GOALS When setting goals, it is important to set reasonable goals that can be achieved in a set time frame. A helpful way to set goals is to use the S.M.A.R.T. system: Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely Specific – a specific goal has a greater chance of being reached than a general goal. Specific goals answer the five “W” questions: Who – Who is involved? What – What do I want to accomplish? When – Establish a time frame Where – Identify a location Why – Specific reason, purposes, or benefits of accomplishing your goals Example: A general goal would be, “Get in shape.” A specific goal would be, “Join the Health Club and workout three days a week to lose a total of 10 pounds in three months.” Measurable – Establish concrete material for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. When progress is measured, you stay on track, reach target dates and experience the joy of achieving your goals. To determine if your goal is measurable, ask these questions: How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished? Attainable – When you identify goals that are important to you, you start to identify ways to make them happen. You begin to develop attitudes, abilities and skills to reach them. You begin to see previously overlooked opportunities to bring yourself closer to the achievement of your goals. You can attain almost any goal if you plan your steps wisely and establish a timeframe that allows you to carry out those steps. Goals that may have seemed far away and out of reach eventually move closer and become attainable, not because your goals shrink, but because you grow and expand to match them. Realistic – To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. A goal can be both high and realistic; you are the only one who can decide just how high your goal should be. But be sure that each goal represents substantial progress. Timely – A goal should be grounded within a time frame. With no time frame tied to it, there is no sense of urgency. If you want to lose 10 pounds, when do you want to lose it by? “Someday” will not work. But if you anchor it to a time frame, “by May 1,” then you have set your unconscious mind into motion to begin working towards it.

When setting goals, use the S.M.A.R.T. goal guidelines: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely. Today’s Date: _______________ Target Date: ______________ Start Date:______________ Goal: _________________________________________________________________________ Verify that your goal is SMART Specific: What exactly will you accomplish? ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Meaningful and Measurable: How will you know when you have reached this goal? ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Action Oriented: What steps do you need to take? ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Realistic and Relevant: How likely are you to reach your goals? ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________

Time-bound: When will this goal be achieved? ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________

This goal is important because: ____________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ The benefits of achieving this goal will be: ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Take Action! Potential Obstacles ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ Potential Solutions ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________

Specific Action Steps: What steps need to be taken to get you to your goal? (Short term goals)

S.M.A.R.T. Goal ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________ ____________________________________

Expected Completion __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________

Date Completed _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________