achieve your goals WITH A template for smart goal setting

Setting goals is essential for productivity and achieving a healthy work-life balance. However, for busy people, finding the time and clarity to set effective goals can be challenging. This article provides a comprehensive template for SMART goal setting, designed to be easy to learn and use.

This template can be used for a wide variety of goals, whether they are related to

• personal development, 
• career advancement, 
• health and wellness, or 
• any other area of your life. 

To illustrate its use, let’s walk through an example of a personal development goal that was relevant to me – which was to increase my public speaking skills.

Step-by-Step Template for SMART Goal Setting

SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These criteria help ensure that your goals are clear and reachable.

1. Define Your Goal (Specific)

Your goal should be clear and specific, so you know exactly what you’re aiming to achieve.

• In the template: You would generally write “I want to [specific action] by [specific outcome].”
• My Goal: “I want to improve my public speaking skills by attending a workshop and practicing twice a week.”

2. Determine How to Measure Progress (Measurable)

You need to be able to track your progress and know when you’ve achieved your goal.

• Template: “I will measure my progress by [measurable criteria].”
• My Measurement: “I will measure my progress by attending a workshop and practicing twice a week, and by seeking feedback from peers.”

3. Ensure Your Goal Is Achievable (Achievable)

Your goal should be realistic and attainable.

• Template: “My goal is achievable because [reason].”
• Your Measurement: “My goal is achievable because there are workshops available, and I can set aside time twice a week for practice.”

4. Align Your Goal with Your Priorities (Relevant)

• Template: “This goal is relevant because [reason].”
• Relevance for me: “I work as a lecturer at a university and have done many years of public speaking engagements on productivity and time management. This goal is relevant because improving my public speaking skills will enhance my career prospects and boost my confidence. ”

5. Set a Deadline (Time-bound)

Your goal should have a deadline.

• Template: “I will achieve this goal by [deadline].”
• My Deadline: “I will achieve this goal in three months.”

Putting It all Together in the Template for SMART Goal Setting

Each section of the SMART goal template provide me with my answers to each of the SMART criteria. For example:

• Specific: “I want to improve my public speaking skills by attending a workshop and practicing twice a week.”
• Measurable: “I will measure my progress by attending a workshop and practicing twice a week, and by seeking feedback from peers.”
• Achievable: “My goal is achievable because there are workshops available, and I can set aside time twice a week for practice.”
• Relevant: “This goal is relevant because improving my public speaking skills will enhance my career prospects and boost my confidence.”
• Time-bound: “I will achieve this goal in three months.”

With this information I can complete the SMART Goal which is:

My Completed Template for SMART Goal Setting

Tips for Staying on Track

A few tips for staying on track include:

• Break Down Goals: Divide your goal into smaller, manageable tasks.
• Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adjust your goals as needed.
• Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and reward your progress.

By following this template for SMART goal setting, you can create clear, actionable goals that enhance productivity and support a better work-life balance. Remember, the key is to make your goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Happy goal setting!

Examples of SMART Goal Setting

This template for SMART Goal Setting can be adapted for various types of goals. Here are a few more examples:

1. Career Advancement

Goal: “I aim to get a promotion by completing a leadership course and taking on additional responsibilities over the next six months.

SMART Breakdown:

• Specific: Get a promotion.
• Measurable: Complete a leadership course and take on additional responsibilities.
• Achievable: Courses and opportunities are accessible.
• Relevant: Aligns with career goals.
• Time-bound: Six months.

2. Health and Wellness

Goal: “I want to improve my fitness by running three times a week and losing 5 kg in the next four months.

SMART Breakdown:

• Specific: Improve fitness.
• Measurable: Run three times a week and lose 5 kg.
• Achievable: Running schedule and weight loss goal are realistic.
• Relevant: Enhances overall health and energy levels.
• Time-bound: Four months.

By following this template for SMART goal setting, you can create clear, actionable goals that enhance productivity and support a better work-life balance. Remember, the key is to make your goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Happy goal setting!

FAQ on SMART Goals

Q1. Why should I use SMART goals? 

Using SMART goals helps you create clear, actionable objectives. This method increases your chances of success by providing a structured approach to goal setting.

Q2. How do I make my goals specific?

To make your goals specific, clearly define what you want to achieve. Include details such as who is involved, what you want to accomplish, where it will happen, and why it is important. The template provides prompts to help you specify your goals.

Q3: What does it mean for a goal to be measurable?

A measurable goal includes criteria to track your progress and determine when you have achieved it. This could involve numbers, percentages, or specific milestones. The template guides you to define measurable criteria for your goals.

Q4: What if I’m unsure whether my goal is achievable?

Consider whether you have the necessary resources, skills, and time to achieve your goal. The template encourages you to reflect on these factors and adjust your goal if needed to make it realistic.

Q5: How do I make sure my goal is relevant?

Align your goal with your broader objectives and priorities. Ask yourself why this goal matters to you and how it fits into your overall plans. The template helps you articulate the relevance of your goal.

Q6: What if I struggle to set a deadline for my goal?

Think about a realistic timeframe for achieving your goal. Break it down into smaller milestones if needed. The template prompts you to set a clear deadline, helping you stay focused and motivated.

Q7: Can this template be used for different types of goals?

Absolutely! The template is versatile and can be adapted for various goals, whether they are related to personal development, career advancement, health and wellness, or any other area of your life.

Q8: What if I need to adjust my goal along the way? 

It’s perfectly fine to adjust your goal as needed. Revisit and refine your goals to ensure they remain achievable and relevant. Flexibility is key to adapting to changing circumstances.

Q9: How can I stay motivated while working towards my SMART goals?

Break your goal into smaller, manageable tasks and celebrate milestones along the way. Keep reminding yourself of the importance of your goal and the benefits of achieving it.

References

Cothran, H. M., & Wysocki, A. F. (2005). Developing SMART Goals for Your Organization: FE577/FE577, 11/2005. EDIS, 2005(14).