- Specific: The goal should be very precise with no room for misinterpretation.
- Measurable: The goal should be quantifiable, and progress should be easy to track.
- Achievable: The goal should be attainable — not outlandish or unrealistic.
- Relevant: The goal should contribute to your broader, overarching goals.
- Time-bound: The goal should have a defined start and end date.
Why?: Setting sharp, clearly defined goals, you can measure and take pride in the achievement of those goals, and you’ll see forward progress in what might previously have seemed a long pointless grind.
Now we know what SMART goals are, let us take time to look into how you can practically create and meet them.
“If you fail to plan you plan to fail.”
A weak example: I am going to improve my relationships.
SMART
Specific: I will develop my relationships with my partner/parents.
Measurable: I will video call each of these people twice per week.
Achievable: I talk to these people regularly, and we always say how it would be nice to talk more.
Relevant: I want to deepen my relationships, feel more loved and love back in my life.
Time-bound: I will stick to this plan for 3 months, then re-evaluate and plan my next steps.
You can do the same for your financial, career, spiritual, education, physical and social areas of your life. By starting with small goals in each area of your life you will slowly tick the boxes to your overall goal. Example:
Area: Career
Major goal: Become a millionaire
Smaller goals: Make $10 000 per month
The SMART way:
Specific: I will become a millionaire in 10 years
Measurable: I will calculate my net worth every month
Achievable: I need to invest $2 239 every month with 10% returns
Relevant: Achieving this would give me more time and more freedom to spend with my family,.
Time-bound: I will start in 1 month.
