~by Haley Lynn Gray~
If you’ve set a goal and aren’t specific about how you will achieve it, then it’s just a wish, and likely to never be accomplished. The S.M.A.R.T. method is an acronym to help with setting and achieving goals in business of specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely. It takes goals from blurry to real, actionable plans to achieve tangible and powerful results.
Here is the S.M.A.R.T method to goal setting for success:
Specific
Your goal must be well defined. Vague goals are contrary to your goal because they don’t offer adequate direction. Remember, you need goals to show you the way to success. You want to make it as easy as you can to get where you want to go by describing exactly where you want to wind up.
Measurable
Your goals should include specific amounts, dates, and so on so you can actually measure your success. If your goal is simply defined as “To make more money” how will you know when you have been successful? In one month’s time if you have a 1% pay increase, or maybe in a year’s time when you have a 100% increase? Without a way to measure your success, you will miss out on the excitement of knowing you have definitively achieved your goal.
Attainable
Make sure that it’s possible to achieve the goals that you set. If you set a goal that you have no hope of achieving, you will only find yourself disheartened and kill your self-confidence. On the contrary, be sure not to set too-simple to reach goals. Setting realistic yet challenging goals, you will hit the balance you need. The goals you want are the ones that require you to “raise the bar”; they will bring the utmost personal satisfaction.
Relevant
Goals should be relevant to the path you want your life and career to take. By keeping your goals aligned, you’ll grow the focus you need to get ahead and do what you want.
Timely
You goals must have a deadline so you will know when you can celebrate your successes. When you are working on a time limit, your resolve increases and success will come that much quicker. Make sure your goals are set soon enough to reduce your chances of procrastination.
What part of the SMART method have you found works best for you? Share in the comments area below!
Meet the Author: Haley Gray
Haley works with female entrepreneurs. The only problem? Many want their business to grow so that they can make
money to pay the bills, send the kids to dance lessons, and be able to spend quality time with the kids.
Haley works with her clients to create a strategy plan for their business – so that they can make enough money to spend that quality time with their family, pay for their children’s lessons, pay bills, and not worry about where the next client is coming from.
Haley is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Leadership Girl. She offers Business Coaching, Business Plan Development and Strategy Sessions for entrepreneurs. Whether you want to get a new business off the ground, or expand an existing business, Haley can assist you.
Connect with Haley:
- Work with Haley
- Facebook Page: @Leadershipgirl
- LinkedIn: Haley Lynn (Wilson) Gray
