SMART is an acronym that represents a framework for creating effective goals. The word SMART represents the five qualities your goal should have. These goals must be Specific (specific), Measurable (measurable), Achievable (reasonable), Relevant (relevant), and Time-bound (bound to time). The SMART method is one of the most popular and effective tools for creating realistic and reasonable goals. You may be the head of an organization of hundreds, or a small business entrepreneur, or someone who just wants to lose weight. Whoever you are, learning how to set SMART goals can increase your chances of success.
Step
Part 1 of 5: Specific (S - Specific)
Step 1. Decide what you want
The first step in any framework for setting goals is to first define what you want to achieve. At this stage, you can think in general terms.
- Whether your goals are long-term or short-term, most people usually start with a general idea of what they want. You will then make it specific by adding details and defining it.
- For example, maybe you want to be healthier. Knowing this will be the basis for setting more specific goals.
Step 2. Be specific about your goals
"Specific" is the letter "S" in SMART terms. You are more likely to achieve specific goals than general ones. So, your task at this stage is to translate the thoughts from the first step into something clearer.
- Continuing with the example in the previous step, ask yourself, what does "healthier" mean to you? What needs improvement in your life?
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These goals must be clear and concrete. Including certain numbers like "I'm going to the gym 2 times a week," will help. Goals that are too broad like "feel better" or "look better" are not easy to use for monitoring your progress. Choose measurable goals, for example:
- Lose or gain weight by (x) kg.
- Able to run as far as 5 km.
- Reduce salt intake from food.
Step 3. Decide who else will be involved
A good way to make sure your goals are specific enough is to answer the 6 "W" questions: Who, What, When, Where, Which, and Why. (why). Start by asking who is involved.
- Generally the goal is centered on you. However, some goals will require you to cooperate with other people.
- If your goal is to lose weight, the answer may just be you. However, certain goals require you to cooperate with other people.
Step 4. Ask what you want to achieve
This is a fundamental question about the goals you want to achieve.
- If you want to lose weight, you can start by answering "what" questions, but be more specific! Exactly how much weight do you want to lose?
- A self-development goal such as "more self-confidence" would be too broad and confusing. However, goals like "give a keynote address at a conference", "take Satria out to dinner", or "take the commuter train alone" are some specific things that, when achieved, will show your confidence.
Step 5. Determine where it will happen
Determine your work location to try to reach the target.
- If you want to lose weight, you can work out at work (for example, go for a walk during lunch), at home (work out at home or lift weights), and at the gym.
- This "place" aspect can be physical or virtual (online). For example, when looking for a potential partner, you can meet online or in person for the first time.
Step 6. Think about when it will happen
Set a realistic timeframe or deadline for achieving the target. Your target will be sharper and more focused in the process of setting it later. For now, think about the big picture.
- If you want to lose 10 kg of weight, you may be able to do so in a few months. However, if you want to get a degree in physics, the appropriate timeframe might be a few years.
- In the example of improving fitness, "when" here can mean a realistic timeframe for weight loss, but it also means specifying the time of day to exercise and how often.
Step 7. Determine which requirements and constraints will be part of your process to achieve the target
In other words, what do you need to achieve your target? What challenges will you face?
- If you want to lose weight, the requirements may be by exercising and following a healthy diet. Challenges may include cravings for sugary foods or a reluctance to exercise.
- Another obstacle: You may not have the money to register at the gym, have had a knee injury, or the environment around your home isn't safe for you to run at night. Consider how to overcome these obstacles.
Step 8. Reflect on why you set this target
Write down the specific reasons and benefits of achieving this goal. Understanding the "why" is important in knowing whether the goals you have set will actually satisfy your desires.
- For example, your goal is to lose 25 kg of weight. Think about the target and why; ponder if it's because you want to be more popular. If your real goal is that you want to be popular instead of healthy, consider other ways to achieve that goal. For example, you can try to be more friendly, instead of focusing solely on appearances.
- However, if losing 25 kg will have a positive effect on your health and you know why, write down the reasons.
Part 2 of 5: Measurable
Step 1. Create a "yardstick" chart to measure results
Your task now is to determine the criteria for success. This way, it's easy for you to keep track of your progress and know when you've hit your target.
- Your criteria can be quantitative (based on numbers) or descriptive (based on specific outcomes).
- If possible, set concrete numbers on your goals. This way, you know whether you are headed for failure or staying on the right track.
- For example, if you want to lose weight, you can set a quantitative goal by writing that you want to lose 15 kg. By measuring your current body weight, you will easily determine when you have reached your target. A descriptive version might read something like, "I wish I could wear the jeans I wore five years ago." Whichever method you choose, make sure your goals are measurable.
Step 2. Ask questions to sharpen focus
There are some questions you can ask yourself to make sure your goals stay measurable. Here are some examples:
- How many? For example, "How much weight do I want to lose?"
- How many times? For example, "How many times a week do I have to go to the gym?"
- How will I know when I have hit the target? Is this when you get on the scale and see that you have lost 15 kg? Or 20?
Step 3. Observe and measure your progress
Having measurable goals will make it easier to determine if you are moving forward.
- For example, if your goal is to lose 10 pounds, and you've already done it by 8 pounds, you know you've almost succeeded. On the other hand, if a month has passed and you have only managed to lose 1 kg, this may be a signal that you should change your strategy.
- Keep a diary. A diary is a good way to keep track of the progress of the business, the results you've seen, and to document how you feel about the process. Try writing these notes for about 15 minutes a day. This will help you maintain perspective and release the pressure on your efforts.
Part 3 of 5: Attainable (A – Makes sense)
Step 1. Check your boundaries
Make sure the targets you have set can actually be achieved. Otherwise, you can get discouraged.
- Consider the limitations and challenges you have identified and whether you will be able to overcome them. To reach the target, you will face many challenges. The question here is to determine whether you can actually achieve the target to meet these challenges.
- Be realistic about the amount of time you have to invest in achieving your goals, as well as your background, education, and personal limitations. Think about your goals realistically, and if you might not be able to achieve them in your current life situation, set new goals that make sense.
- For example, imagine your goal is to lose weight. If you can commit to spending a certain amount of time exercising each week and are willing to make dietary changes, you may be able to lose 10 pounds in 6 months. On the other hand, losing 25 kg may be an unrealistic goal, especially if you are facing challenges that may prevent you from exercising regularly.
- Write down all the limits that can be detected when you consider targets. This will help you to develop an overall picture of the task at hand.
Step 2. Perform an analysis of the level of commitment
Even if a goal makes sense, you have to be committed to working towards it. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you ready to make a commitment to reach your target?
- Are you ready to dramatically change or adjust aspects of your life?
- If not, is there a more reasonable target you could achieve?
- Your targets and level of commitment must match. You may find it easier to commit to losing 10 pounds at first, and 25 pounds may seem more unreasonable. Be honest with yourself about the changes you want to make.
Step 3. Define achievable targets
Once you have considered the challenges you face and the level of commitment, adjust the targets as necessary.
If you determine the current target is reasonable, continue to the next step. However, if you conclude that the goal doesn't make much sense, consider revising it. This doesn't mean you have to give up completely, but just adjust your goals based on your reality
Part 4 of 5: Relevant (R - Relevant)
Step 1. Do a reflect (reflection) on your desires
Relevance is something related to the aspect of achieving a target. This is the "R" element in the SMART method. The question you should ponder here is whether the targets you have set will contribute to meeting your individual needs.
- It is time to rethink the "why" question (why). Ask yourself if this goal will really fulfill your desires or if there is a different goal that is more important to you.
- For example, you want to take a university entrance test. You may be able to get a physics degree from a large, prestigious university. This goal makes sense. However, if the major is not an environment that will make you happy, you might consider revising your goals. Who knows, an English program at a local university will suit you better.
Step 2. Consider your goals and other circumstances in life
You should also consider how goals fit into other plans in life. Conflicting plans can create problems.
- In other words, you have to determine if your goals match up with other things going on in life.
- For example, imagine that your goal is to study at a prestigious university. However, you also want to take over the family business in a few years' time. If the business is not located near a well-known university, you are in for a conflict. Reconsider one or both of these goals.
Step 3. Adjust the target according to its relevance
When you determine that your goals are relevant and work well with other plans, move on to the next step. If not, revise.
When in doubt, do what you like best. Goals that you care deeply about will be more relevant and make sense than those that generate little interest. Goals that will fulfill your dreams will also be much more motivating and valuable to you
Part 5 of 5: Time-Bound (T – Tied to Time)
Step 1. Determine the time frame
This means the target must have a deadline or completion date.
- Setting a time frame for a target will help you identify and take the specific actions you need to take to achieve it. It also removes the "later on" element that sometimes comes with general targeting.
- When you don't set a time frame, you won't feel pressured internally to hit your goals, so you're more likely to fail.
Step 2. Define stepping stones
This is important, especially if your goals are long term. Set some smaller goals as stepping stones, so you can measure your progress and keep managing them well.
For example, if your goal is to lose 10 kg in the next 5 months, this means you will need to lose about 0.5 kg a week. Small stepping stone moments like this make more sense and create incentives for you to keep trying consistently, instead of trying to briefly lose weight in the last few months. You can also use the app to log your diet and exercise patterns to make sure you're taking the necessary steps to reach your goals each day. If this turns out to be too complicated, rethink and revise your goals to make more sense
Step 3. Focus on the long and short term
Consistent progress towards your goals means you have a vision for the present and the future. Within the time frame you have set, ask yourself these questions:
- What can I do today to reach the target? If you want to lose 10 pounds in five months, you may need to exercise for 30 minutes every day. In addition, you may also want to eat healthy snacks, such as fruits and nuts, instead of potato chips.
- What can I do in the next 3 weeks to reach the target? The answer here may involve creating a detailed meal plan or exercise schedule.
- What can I do in the long term to reach the target? Here, the focus is on maintaining results. Work on forming habits that promote a healthy diet and active lifestyle over the long term. For example, you might consider joining a game or sports team.
Tips
- Write down a list of stepping stones along the path to achieving your goal. You can pair each of these stepping stone moments with gifts. Small incentives can help you to maintain motivation.
- Try making a list of the people and resources you'll need to reach your goals. This list can help determine the steps needed to achieve these goals.
