Understanding SMART Goals for Success
Peer reviewed by Dr. Peter Rawlek, MD & Scott Rollo, PhD
Setting goals is an essential part of achieving success whether in school, activities, or life. We all have set goals that we did not reach. One main reason might be that the goal wasn’t clearly defined. That’s where the SMART goals method comes in.
What is a SMART goal?
A SMART goal is a method of setting clear and realistic objectives that provide direction, allow you to track progress which all together, help you stay focused and motivated. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These five factors help make sure your goals are practical and within reach.
Why Are SMART Goals Important?
When your goals are clear, actionable, and measurable, you are markedly more likely to succeed.
SMART goals will help you:
Understand exactly what you’re working toward
(This allows you to be clear on what you exactly want to do and your why)
Measure your progress along the way
(Measuring progress, you see results, that motivates you see when you see the smaller victories)
Avoid distractions that don’t help you reach your goals
(focus is important)
Stay motivated and on track by having deadlines
(Timelines to deliver, motivate and focus us to get it done. e.g., Consider: you have an exam in two days and your motivation to focus your actions on that time line.)
Break big goals down into smaller, more manageable tasks so you can achieve smaller successes
(e.g., Consider hiking up a mountain, you can only do it one part and one step at a time.)
What Does SMART Mean?
Let's break down each part of a SMART goal to help you understand how to create one for yourself.
S: Specific
Your goal should be clear and precise. Think about what exactly you want to achieve. Instead of saying, “I want to do better in school,” be specific. For example, say, “I want to improve my math grade by 10% this semester.”
To get a clearer understanding of your goal, answer these 3 “W” questions:
Who is involved in achieving the goal?
What exactly do I want to accomplish?
Why is this goal important to me?
M: Measurable
You need a way to track your progress. This will help you know if you’re on the right path. If your goal is measurable, you should be able to say, “I’ve completed 50% of my goal” at any given time.
For example, instead of saying, “I want to study more,” a measurable goal could be: “I will study for at least 30 minutes every day.” This will help you stay on track.
A: Achievable
It’s important that your goal is realistic. While it’s great to aim high, make sure you can actually achieve the goal with the resources and time you have. A goal that’s too difficult might lead to frustration and other negative emotions that will prevent you from getting to your goal, while an easy one may not push you enough.
For instance, don’t aim to go from a C grade to an A+ in just one week. Instead, set a goal that challenges you but is still within reach, like improving from a C to a B by the end of the semester.
R: Relevant
Your goal should be important to you and fit with your larger life goals. Make sure it’s worth your effort.
Ask yourself: Is this goal going to help me in the long run? Does it align with what I want for my future?
For example, if you want to improve your study habits to get into a good college, that’s a relevant goal.
T: Time-bound
Every goal should have a deadline. This gives you a target to aim for and keeps you motivated. Without a time limit, it’s easy to procrastinate.
Instead of saying, “I want to improve my grades,” make it time-bound by saying, “I want to raise my math grade by the end of this semester.”
Example of a SMART Goal
Here’s how you could turn a vague goal into a SMART goal:
Vague goal: "I want to get better at soccer."
SMART goal:
Specific: "I want to improve my passing skills in soccer."
Measurable: "I will increase my passing accuracy from 60% to 80%."
Achievable: "I will practice my passing drills for 20 minutes after school, three times a week."
Relevant: "Improving my passing will help me become a better midfielder on my school team."
Time-bound: "I will reach my passing goal by the end of this soccer season."
How to Set Your Own SMART Goals
Start Specific: Think about exactly what you want to achieve and your why.
Add a Way to Measure: How will you track your progress?
Check if It’s Achievable: Be honest with yourself. Can you really achieve this with your current resources?
Make It Relevant: Does this goal matter to you and your future?
Set a Deadline: When do you want to achieve this by?
Conclusion
Using the SMART goal method is a great way to stay focused and motivated on your personal, academic, or career goals. Whether you want to ace your exams, improve your athletic skills, or develop a new talent, SMART goals can help you break down your big dreams into smaller steps that are easier to achieve.
Start setting SMART goals today, and watch how they help you stay on track and succeed.