Intro
Setting and achieving goals is an element all of us strive towards regardless of the differences
in our careers. While failing to meet your goals can come from a plethora of reasons,
it never ceases to be disheartening and stressful. So, in order to better
accomplish your set out goals, lets examine SMART Goals and how to utilize them in your career.
What are SMART Goals?
In the simplest terms, SMART Goals are a practical approach to goal setting. It stands for
(S)pecific
Start by setting a specific and detailed goal.
Instead of citing “I would like to make more sales this quarter”,
be more concrete. Are you looking for a 5% increase? A 10% increase?
(M)easurable
From here, ensure your goal is measurable. If looking to increase your productivity, establish
a surefire way to track your progress. An example includes monitoring the time you spend distracted
on your phone, and cutting it down by 10 -15% As you're setting up the foundation of your goal,
(A)ttainable
don’t forget to keep them attainable. While increasing your salary by $50,000
may be ambitious, try setting incremental goals such as an extra $5,000 each year that
progressively build towards your larger goal. Furthermore, keep your goals relevant to your
(R)elevant
aspirations in the long term. Creating goals that are related to the “big picture” in your career
will help you stay motivated to overcome challenges when they arise.
Lastly, create Timely goals, or goals that have a deadline in mind. Deadlines are proven to improve
(T)timely
performance, so while it may be easy to simply say “I’ll finish this project by the end of the year”,
establish an appropriate, 1 to 2 month cut off date, to ensure you are avoiding procrastination.
Goal setting assists with progress in our careers. Whether this means more success, happiness,
or fulfillment, remember to follow the SMART framework to achieve your biggest aspirations.