Let's Get SMART About Goal Setting

Goal setting. We know that it helps to have clearly defined goals but many of us don't take the time to write our goals out or think deeply about achieving them. It's a bit like setting off on a road trip without knowing exactly what town you want to end up in and when you want to arrive. We're heading off in the general vicinity of 'having a successful business year', but we don't really know how to define the end result.

One way of defining goals is to make sure they follow the SMART rule.

S - specific
M - measurable
A - attainable
R - relevant
T - time dependent

S – Specific. What is it that I want to achieve and why is it important? What are the benefits and who will be involved? How will the goal be achieved - do I need to set benchmarks along the way, overcome obstacles, take more training, connect with different people..?

M – Measurable.  Can my goal be quantified in any way? Is there a target number associated with the goal or with any steps along the way. If you can set a measurable goal you'll be able to gauge your progress.

A – Attainable. Goals need to be realistic and attainable. Sometimes it helps to bounce the goal idea off a close associate or friend. Getting some outside perspective can help you determine if the goal is realistic or needs to be modified. Remember you want to stretch yourself, but in the end you want to achieve your goal.

R – Relevant. To find out if your goal is relevant try asking yourself if this is the right thing for me to be doing at this time. Take a good look at the costs and benefits. The cost may not be monetary, but could be related to your time and effort. Will working hard for this goal take too much time away from another task that is important in my life?

T – Time limited. Can you commit to a timeline for your goal? Goals that are time specific can push us towards success because we can see more clearing when things need to be done to move forward. You can also track your progress against time and put more effort in if you are getting behind.

Setting SMART goals is a methodology used in many types of corporate performance appraisal systems. If you are working on your own or in a small business you can still benefit from this approach by taking the time to identify important goals and write them down. Validate the goals with SMART and you'll be on your way to accomplishing tasks and goals that support your business objectives.

SuiteWorks is a world class business centre serving all of central Ontario. Call us today to set up a complimentary Tour and learn how your business can benefit from a flexible office solution including coworking space and virtual offices - Toll Free 1.866.967.5711 or visit our website to find out more about SuiteWorks solutions for your business.