Setting and Achieving SMART Goals
As a speaker, author, and coach, I've seen firsthand the transformative power of well-defined goals. But not all goals are created equal. Enter SMART goals – a framework that can revolutionize the way you approach your personal and professional aspirations.
What Are SMART Goals?
SMART is an acronym that stands for:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-bound
Specific
Your goals should be clear and specific. Instead of saying, "I want to be a better speaker," try "I want to deliver a TED Talk on personal development within the next two years."
Measurable
How will you know when you've achieved your goal? Make it quantifiable. For authors, this could be "I will write 1,000 words every day" or "I will increase my book sales by 20% this quarter."
Achievable
While it's great to aim high, your goals should be realistic. If you're just starting as a coach, aiming to have 100 clients in your first month might be unrealistic. Start with a more achievable number and scale up.
Relevant
Your goals should align with your overall vision and long-term objectives. As a speaker, if your ultimate goal is to inspire youth, then setting a goal to speak at high schools and colleges is more relevant than aiming for corporate gigs.
Time-bound
Set a deadline. This creates a sense of urgency and helps you prioritize. "I will publish my self-help book by June 30th next year" is more powerful than "I will publish a book someday."
Putting SMART Goals into Action
Write them down: The act of writing your goals makes them more tangible.
Break them down: Large goals can be overwhelming. Divide them into smaller, manageable tasks.
Review regularly: Set aside time each week to review your progress and adjust if necessary.
Celebrate milestones: Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small. It keeps you motivated.
Stay accountable: Share your goals with a mentor, coach, or accountability partner.
Example SMART Goal for Leaders in the Workplace
Let's transform a vague goal into a SMART one:
Vague goal: "I want to improve team performance."
SMART goal: "I will increase my team's productivity by 15% over the next quarter by implementing a new project management software, conducting weekly one-on-one check-ins with each team member, and providing two targeted professional development workshops, resulting in the successful completion of our department's key project ahead of schedule."
This goal is Specific (increase productivity by 15%), Measurable (15% increase, completion of key project), Achievable (through specific actions), Relevant (improves team performance), and Time-bound (over the next quarter).
Setting SMART goals is a powerful way to turn your dreams into reality. As speakers, authors, and coaches, we're in the business of transformation – and that starts with ourselves. By applying the SMART framework to your goals, you're not just hoping for success; you're planning for it.
Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. What SMART goal will you set today?
I’m Krista Ryan
My job is to help you learn a little, laugh a lot, and get clear on action steps for your success.
It may have taken a life changing event to shake me awake and decide I no longer wanted to live a comfortable life… I wanted to embrace the discomfort and live a life of courage and intention.
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