How to Set SMART GoalsThe method of SMART goals is one of the most effective tools used by high achievers to reach their goals — realistically and consistently. Whether you're leading a 300-person organization, a small business entrepreneur, or somebody who simply wants to lose 10 kilos, learning how to set SMART goals can make the difference between failure and achievement.

Be SPECIFIC

1Make your goal focused and well-defined. A specific goal has a much greater chance of being

accomplished than a general goal.

2When setting your goal, make sure you can answer the 6 "W" questions: Who, What, When,

Where, Which, and Why. The more specific a goal is, the more you can find ways of reaching your

target. Ask questions such as:

Who is involved?

What do I want to achieve?

Where will this happen? Identify a location.

When will this happen? Establish a time frame.

Which requirements and restraints will be part of the process? Identify them.

Why am I setting this goal? Jot down the specific reasons and benefits of accomplishing this goal.

3Know the difference between a specific goal and a vague goal. For example, there is a difference

between saying, "I want to lose weight" and "I want to lose 10 kilos." When you set a goal to lose 10

kilos, you can measure your progress as you decrease your weight, from 10 kilos, down to 7, down to 5,

and so on. This will help you see progress and motivate you to keep pushing forward. Other examples

of specific and vague goals:

Vague: Get in shape for the summer.

Specific: Join a hot yoga studio and practice 4 times a week over the next 3 months.

Vague: Own a home.

Specific: Put 50% of income into savings account for the next 12 months and talk to a mortgage broker.

Adapted from http://www.wikihow.com/Set-SMART-Goals by Sandy Millin

How to Set SMART GoalsThe method of SMART goals is one of the most effective tools used by high achievers to reach their goals — realistically and consistently. Whether you're leading a 300-person organization, a small business entrepreneur, or somebody who simply wants to lose 10 kilos, learning how to set SMART goals can make the difference between failure and achievement.

Have a concrete set of criteria for MEASURING progress

1Have a yardstick for measuring outcomes. Know that a goal without a measurable outcome is like a

sports competition without a scoreboard. Put concrete numbers in your goals to know if you're falling

behind or if you're on track.

2Ask questions such as:

How much?

How many?

How will I know when it is accomplished?

What is at the finish line?

3Set a daily reminder to track and measure your progress:

Keep a journal, put up a whiteboard at the office, use your smartphone to download a tracking app —

these are all tangible ways to track your development.

Adapted from http://www.wikihow.com/Set-SMART-Goals by Sandy Millin

How to Set SMART GoalsThe method of SMART goals is one of the most effective tools used by high achievers to reach their goals — realistically and consistently. Whether you're leading a 300-person organization, a small business entrepreneur, or somebody who simply wants to lose 10 kilos, learning how to set SMART goals can make the difference between failure and achievement.

Make the goal ATTAINABLE/ACHIEVABLE

1Draft realistic goals [3]. Based on the present restrictions such as your schedule, workload, and

knowledge, do you believe you can attain the objective you set? If not, then set a different goal, one that

is attainable for you in the present.

2Ask yourself the following questions:

Are you prepared to make the commitment to reach your target?

Are you willing to dramatically alter or at least tweak aspects your life?

Is there a more achievable target you are willing to to work for?

Adapted from http://www.wikihow.com/Set-SMART-Goals by Sandy Millin

How to Set SMART GoalsThe method of SMART goals is one of the most effective tools used by high achievers to reach their goals — realistically and consistently. Whether you're leading a 300-person organization, a small business entrepreneur, or somebody who simply wants to lose 10 kilos, learning how to set SMART goals can make the difference between failure and achievement.

Make the goal RELEVANT

1Make the goal relevant to your life's reality. For instance, if a weight-loss buddy thinks your goal

should be to compete in a ballroom dancing competition, but you hate ballroom dancing and have stage

fright, choose a different goal.

2Set goals that are realistic. If you are 40 pounds overweight and haven't exercised in 10 years, it'd be

a pretty unrealistic goal to run a triathlon with 2 months of training. So set a goal you have a realistic

chance of achieving.

Adapted from http://www.wikihow.com/Set-SMART-Goals by Sandy Millin

How to Set SMART GoalsThe method of SMART goals is one of the most effective tools used by high achievers to reach their goals — realistically and consistently. Whether you're leading a 300-person organization, a small business entrepreneur, or somebody who simply wants to lose 10 kilos, learning how to set SMART goals can make the difference between failure and achievement.

Ground the goal within a TIME FRAME

1SMART goals should be time-bound, meaning they should have a deadline or there should be a

date for completion. Setting a deadline reinforces the seriousness of the goal in your mind. It

motivates you to take action. When you don't set a timeline, there is no internal pressure to accomplish

the goal, so it gets put in the back burner.

2Have a sense of urgency. If you want to raise your credit score to 720, when do you want to raise it

by? “Someday” won’t work. But if you anchor it within a timeframe (example: Raise credit from 700 to

720 in 12-18 months), then you’ve set your mind into motion to begin working on the goal.

3Within your established time frame, ask yourself:

What can I do TODAY to reach my goal?

What can I do 3 weeks from now to reach my goal?

What can I do 3 months from now to reach my goal?

Adapted from http://www.wikihow.com/Set-SMART-Goals by Sandy Millin