Do you want to set smarter goals for your business in the new year?
Are you interested in a thoughtful and different approach to setting your goals?
In this article, you’ll learn a practical process to help you create smarter goals for your business.
Key Takeaways
- A SMART goal is a type of goal that has Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Time-bound objectives.
- SMART goals provide a structured approach that encourages critical thinking, allows for adjustments, and helps communicate your goals clearly to others.
- Adding context to your goals with the SMART framework can revitalize motivation and inspire new approaches by connecting goals to your business’s bigger picture.
- Make goals using the SMART framework by breaking them down into smaller tasks, setting deadlines, and physically tracking your progress in a calendar to stay motivated.
- Set aside focused time to plan your goals, using tools like notebooks or apps, and ensure each goal meets the SMART criteria for clarity and effectiveness.
Table of Contents
What is a SMART goal?
A SMART goal is a goal that uses the SMART framework.
This practical framework uses a mnemonic abbreviation of the following words: Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Time-bound.
The SMART goal framework is useful because it helps you to easily remember the necessary components of a goal.
It also helps you to create a more defined goal for yourself in a way that’s appropriately focused.
How do you create smarter goals?
If you want to create a smart goal for your business, then you’ll want to set aside some time to think.
The process itself really isn’t all that difficult. But you will need some time to plan and think about your goal.
As a productivity coach, I suggest you set aside some time in your schedule for this exercise.
Choose a time of day when you’ll be less likely to be interrupted or distracted.
This way, you can focus your full attention to working on the details of your goal.
You can use a notebook, word processing document, or note taking app to help you plan your SMART goal.
Whatever note taking method you choose, make sure your goal is:
Specific. Your goal must be clearly described or specified.
Measurable. You want to accurately measure your progress as you work towards your goal.
Actionable. Your goal must include regular tasks you can accomplish over a period of time.
Realistic. You want to ensure your goals can be physically completed given the resources, time, and energy allotted.
Time-bound. Your goal must have an end date to it.
What are the benefits of smarter goals?
Using the SMART framework helps you articulate your dreams, wishes, and desires when it comes to your goals.
Here are some benefits I can think of when it comes to setting SMART goals:
- Provides a structured framework to help you reach your goal
- Encourages critical thinking of proposed goals and plans
- Allows for for goal adjustments, modifications, and updates in future
- Offers clear description and communication of your goals to others
- Creates a practical reference to which you can refer throughout the year
Why should you create smarter goals?
Now that you’re familiar with the SMART goal framework, why should you create smarter goals?
Perhaps for some odd reason your goals don’t excite you.
You may even find you’re not taking action on tasks related to your goals.
Fortunately, if this is the case for you, you may simply need to adjust your viewpoint.
That’s where a smarter goal comes in.
Adding a contextual aspect to your goals can help inspire and motivate you to breathe life into an old goal or simply change your work approach.
How to create smarter goals for yourself at the office
Ready to create some smarter goals for yourself at the office?
Follow the below tips to spice up and add some flair to your goals.
And by all means, feel free to edit, modify, and change items as you see fit.
Make sure your smarter goal is specific
Your goals must be specific in order for you to accomplish them.
Saying you want to increase revenue in your business is a good start. But stating you want to increase your total number of customers in order to increase revenue is better.
Make it smarter:
What about your goal is uniquely specific to you, your business, and your current circumstances?
Rest assured, this isn’t meant to be judgmental, but rather an educational exercise for you to place your new goals in context within your business’ past, present, and future.
Take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Think about the past few years in your business. Next, switch things up and think about where you want to be in your business in a few years’ time.
How will your goal act as stepping stone for you and your business? Now, how will working on this goal change your attitude and approach? And how will it influence how you show up to work everyday?
Your goal is no longer a solitary goal, but part of your bigger business plans. This may very well be the inspiration you need to show you how your goal will help you successfully move into the future.
Ensure your smarter goal is measurable
Your goal must be a quantifiable amount so you can track your progress during the year.
Stating “Get more new customers by the end of the year” is vague, while “Gain 20,000 new customers by the end of the year” has a specific unit of measurement to it.
Make it smarter:
It’s common to think of quantifiable amounts as units sold, dollars made, or numbers of clients. But why not add an inspirational quality of measurement to your goal?
What’s something you’d like to improve upon in your overall business operations? Satisfied return customers? Glowing testimonials from first-time customers? Top-notch referrals from anchor clients?
Think about measuring these items quantifiably in surveys, polls, questionnaires, or exit interviews. How many satisfied customers do you want? How many top-notch referrals would you like? It’s certainly worth considering.
Make sure your smarter goal is actionable
You must be able to physically work towards your goal. Typically, actionable goals are comprised of small tasks that can be completed throughout the year.
If you want to increase communication and teamwork in your business, “Hold weekly team meetings on Mondays” would be a more suitable choice than, “Talk with my team.”
Make it smarter:
What’s the smallest action you can take every single day to help you reach your goal?
Think about ways you can chunk down larger goals into smaller daily tasks. This is the first step tackling larger issues and concerns.
Taking small actions daily quickly compounds over time. For instance, every day you could write down an issue you’ve personally observed or record concerns voiced by team members. These notations could then serve as the basis of your weekly team meetings.
Ensure your smarter goal is realistic
Your goal should follow the universal laws of physics, time, and space. You must be physically capable of working towards your goal.
Single-handedly addressing, packaging, and mailing out 1,000 samples in one day is foolhardy. On the other hand, that same task is more realistic for a team of 20 people.
Make it smarter:
If the thought of making a goal more “real” makes you yawn with boredom, how about adding a tangible aspect to your work? Consider including a physical, visible, or hands-on trigger to help show progress is being made.
Can you mark up a chart, strike out days on a calendar, drop marbles into a container, make notes in a notebook, or simply state aloud that you’ve finished a timely task?
It’s worth trying this approach in your work as it adds a new dimension to your daily accomplishments.
Make sure your smarter goal is time-bound
Lastly, you need a goal that has a set time limit or deadline. If you don’t set an end date for your goal, it will just continue into the future.
It needs some sort of container so you can stay motivated, focused, and devote your time and energy to it.
Make it smarter:
You’ve most likely set a date-based deadline for your goal. But what about a deadline time?
In most goals, it’s assumed the goal will be reached the end of the day around midnight. Why not set a deadline time for yourself when you’ll actually be awake?
Set your goal for sometime earlier in the say, say 10AM, 12PM, or 3PM.
What’s more, you can place the deadline on your calendar as a live event you can actually look forward to, count down, and celebrate.
And if you’re looking for even more support, goal setting support from a productivity coach can help you gain clarity and insights you may not have considered on your own.
FAQ: Smarter goals
What is a SMART goal?
A SMART goal is a goal that follows the SMART framework which stands for Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Time-bound. This framework can help you create well-defined and effective goals.
How can you create smarter goals for you business?
Set aside quiet time for reflection and use a notebook or app to plan. Ensure each of your goals meet the five criteria for a SMART goal (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic, and time-bound).
What are the benefits of setting smarter goals?
It provides a clear framework help guide you when planning your goals. It also encourages critical thinking, allows for adjustments, improves communication, and provides a practical reference for you throughout the year.
Why is it important to make your smarter goals specific and measurable?
It helps clarify exactly what you want to achieve in your business. What’s more, measurable goals allow you to track your progress accurately and stay motivated for the long-term.
How do you ensure your smarter goals are realistic and time-bound?
Ideally, they should be achievable given your current resources and timeframe. Make sure your goal has a clear deadline or target date so you can stay focused and motivated while you work.
Conclusion
Setting goals isn’t necessarily just about the goals or work itself. You also need to learn how to use your time and energy effectively so you can accomplish what you set out to do.
Setting SMART goals can transform your planning process and boost your success. By using this helpful framework, you can break down big goals into small tasks so you can have the motivation and focus you need to reach your dreams. I
If you want clarity around being more productive in your business or life, schedule a 30-minute video strategy session with me.
A version of this article previously appeared on Inc.com.
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