Usain Bolt is a world renowned athlete and is the fastest man in the world, holding numerous gold medals and breaking a variety of world records. I remember watching in amazement as he ran the 100m in the 2016 Summer Olympics. Completely awestruck, I thought to myself, “I want to do that—I want to be able to run.” But, I soon found that ‘being able to run’ wasn’t a very easy goal to achieve—not just because of the physical toll it took. It was an unclear goal with no defined objective. What did being able to run look like? How far was I hoping to run? How fast?
The kinds of goals we set matter. Setting complex goals for ourselves with too many moving parts and a vague time-frame can set us up for certain failure. Likewise, goals that are too high-level tend to lose our attention. What’s more, unclear or indeterminate goals are nearly impossible to complete. So, what’s the answer to setting goals that are both actionable and achievable? Whether it’s running 100 meters like Usain Bolt or simply improving your work ethic, when crafting a goal, make it a SMARTER one.
SMARTER Goals
SMARTER is an acronym outlining the elements for successful goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound, Enjoyable, Rewarding. Crafting a goal with these elements in mind allows us to see our progress more easily and achieve our intended outcome.
Specific
One of the main characteristics of SMARTER goals is that they're clearly defined and specific. Single, specific goals may be easier to attain than multiple, vague objectives. For instance, setting a goal of losing one pound in 30 days may be much easier than simply saying “lose weight this year”. By crafting specific goals, you may find it easier to establish a working plan to achieve them. Knowing the specifics of a goal allows you to visualize and actualize the steps needed to accomplish it.
Measurable
Goals created without a clear, measurable way of determining achievement are often too vague and, therefore, hard to accomplish. Quantifiable goals allow you to measure the progress you’re making and help you stay focused on the destination. With larger goals, it helps to break them down into smaller milestones to more accurately assess your progress. These milestones are smaller achievements that you can reach in smaller increments of time and, thereby, help to achiever the larger objective.
Achievable
For a goal to be achieved it must be achievable. Setting impossible tasks for yourself that lie outside your ability to reach or available resources rarely results in growth—instead, it can lead to frustration. If you set an unachievable goal for yourself, the only thing you’re really guaranteeing is failure. Setting goals that are achievable are essential to our success mindset. Further, goals should effect in us growth and success—not frustration and failure.
Relevant
A well defined and achievable goal should also be relevant— to your work and your purpose. A relevant goal will contribute positively to an area of your work or personal life and may further propel you toward the best version of yourself. Goals that are not positively impacting your work or an area of your personal life are likely not relevant to your success. Instead, invest your time, effort, and resources into relevant goals that further success in your work or personal life.
Time-bound
Along with being measurable, a good goal should also be time-bound. Putting a definitive and realistic time-frame around your goals allows you to better prioritize your time and efforts. Even better, it adds another element of specificity to the goal, and that can lead to a boost in motivation. If a goal seems like it may take too much time to complete, consider breaking it down into smaller milestones that can be accomplished in a shorter time periods.
Enjoyable
The goals you set should also be enjoyable to execute. Does that mean you’ll thoroughly enjoy every second of your journey? No. Positive change and growth can be uncomfortable at times. But the journey, as a whole, should be exciting and lead towards a positive end. It’s also important to avoid using a less-than-enjoyable means to achieve an overall enjoyable goal. Creating an enjoyable goal becomes pointless if you have to constantly stave off frustration and burnout in order to meet it.
Rewarding
Lastly, the goals you construct should be rewarding. The desired end of a goal can be a powerful motivator, driving us to put in the effort needed to accomplish it. When a goal is tied to something we find rewarding—whether it's personal satisfaction, improvement at work, or a tangible benefit—it creates a sense of purpose and urgency. Further, this reward not only provides motivation but also reinforces positive behaviors that lead us to becoming our best selves. Achieving a rewarding goal may also boost our confidence and sense of well-being, creating a positive ripple effect throughout other areas of our lives.
Whether for business or personal life, the kind of goals you set matter. When we make vague, unquantifiable goals that aren’t relevant to our purpose or passion, we set ourselves up for unnecessary failure. When it comes to crafting goals for growth, the old adage still rings true: work SMARTER, not harder.
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