Work-Life Balance
Turning Bad Goals Into Good Goals Using The SMART Method
Many people fail at goal setting. Once set, they fail to achieve them. This is where SMART goals come in. They are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-oriented. They help you avoid all difficulties and achieve your goals effectively.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve set goals but never come around to accomplishing them as you thought you would. Fortunately for you, it happens to the best of us, and there is a way to turn around this entire cycle of procrastination called the SMART framework. You can now look forward to turning a new leaf this year. 

 

SMART Goals Simplified 

 

The thing that you need to understand about goals is that they need to come from an area of practicality. The problem today is that the majority of our goals are unrealistic, unspecific, and based on willpower rather than proper systems.  Setting a SMART goal will help you overcome all these pitfalls and achieve everything you set your mind to. Let’s take a closer look at these and how they work. 

 

Specific

 

  • Ask yourself what is the result that you’re looking for. 

  • What will you achieve at the end?

  • What are the steps of action?

  • What does achieving this goal look like?

 

Measurable

 

  • What are the measures of success? How will you know what goals you’ve achieved? You need to ask yourself the following: 

  • How will you figure out you’re done?

  • What scales have you set during the process?

  • Will others be able to tell you’ve achieved this goal?

  • Is it detectable?

 

Attainable

 

  • How practical are the goals you’ve set? Ask yourself:

  • Do you have enough resources to achieve the goal?

  • Will you require money to achieve this objective?

  • Do you have the motivation this goal requires?

  • Will I be able to do this in the given time? Will I need to take a loan?

 

Relevant

 

  • Whatever goals you decide, know that they should have high significance.

  • What’s making me do this?

  • What is the relevancy level of this goal? 

  • Is this a priority in your life? 

  • How much do you care about this objective?

  • Will it help me achieve other goals in life?

 

Time-Oriented

 

We all know the importance of time, and some goals should be achieved on time to set new ones. Ensure that you have got a set deadline that will allow you to reconsider your aims and mark your calendar when you decide upon it. Go back every month to check all that you’ve achieved thus far.

 

  • Have you set a deadline?

  • Have you made reminders on your phone or set a calendar?

  • How long will it take for me to know if this is what I need to do?

 

Achieving Your SMART Goals 

 

Now that you’ve set your SMART goals, there is one thing that’ll help you remain on track, and that is your habit. Once you form a habit and get into the routine of action, you will surely get rewarded for your behavior. It is known as the Habit Loop.

 

Say, for example, if your goal is to get fit. Here’s how the Habit Loop works:

  • Cue: You need to head to the gym in the morning.

  • Routine: Work out for half an hour. 

  • Reward: Get a delicious breakfast once you’re done.