Do you ever feel as though you’re working hard but not getting anywhere? Or perhaps you struggle to see how you’ll achieve your goals within the next few months and/or years. Many people spend a sizable chunk of their lives rushing to get more done, yet accomplishing very little. Setting S.M.A.R.T goals helps you focus, clarify your ideas, and utilize your resources and time more efficiently. With these changes, you increase your chances of living the life that you want.

S.M.A.R.T is an acronym for:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-bound

Let’s explore this goalsetting tactic and see if it works for you!

Specific
Be specific in your goals. Aim to answer the five “W”s: Who, What, Why, Where and Which. Examples include:

• Who is involved?
• What is your goal?
• Why is this a goal of yours?
• Where is this located?
• Which resources are needed to accomplish your goal?

Measurable
You must be able to measure your success. What is your goal number? For example, think about the number of customers that you are looking to gain or an amount of money that you are looking to gain. For you to be successful, you must lay out what your goal number is so that when you surpass it, you have something to celebrate!  Ask yourself: What is my magic number?

Achievable
Let’s be real; your goal must be achievable in the real world. For example, a goal of increasing your business by $2000 a month is more achievable than creating a spaceship that will fly you out to an uncharted galaxy in three months. Ask yourself:

• Am I being realistic?
• What will I need to achieve my goal?
• What needs to be eliminated to achieve my goal?

Relevant
Goals require commitment and effort, so you need to be sure that your goal really matters to you. Don’t set a goal that looks good, but there is no real motivation to achieve it. Ask yourself:

• Why is this goal important?
• What will keep you committed?
• What are the benefits of accomplishing your goal?

Time Bound
You need a deadline. Once you figure that out, then implement a plan that will allow you to hit your goal by your deadline. Just ask yourself one simple question: when will it be completed?

The S.M.A.R.T. business goal template is just one way to reach your goals. It’s popular because it allows you to break things down and make your goals more manageable. It may not work for everyone, but give it a try! You never know what works unless you try it!