Why Set Smart Goals?

Why SMART goals? Because wishing doesn't work! While it's possible to bring about an outcome without formally setting goals, it's much less efficient.

If you're not familiar with this concept, you will be by the time you've finished reading. But...

You might be asking, why do we need goals in the first place? After all, you probably didn't set a goal of breathing today, yet I'm pretty sure you've taken at least one breath.

There are many studies that link improved motivation with setting goals, and it's one of the most popular motivation techniques in the workplace and elsewhere.

The Need For Goals

In short, goals accelerate growth. The right goals keep you focused, and on the path to success.

By and large, more successful people set goals, and less successful people don't.

With your goals in place, you'll be able to utilize resources more effectively, stay on target, and ultimately, be more successful in whatever it is you do.

At the risk of stating the obvious... it's much more likely that goal-oriented, focus-based action will produce a desired outcome. The clearer and more defined your goals are, the more effective your actions will be.

Part of the theory behind SMART goals, if I can sum it up in a nutshell (a dangerous thing to do!), is a key point:

Being focused works in your favor and being vague works against you.

Traditionally, business related definitions make distinctions between goals and objectives. Goals are considered to be vague ideas of where you want to go, and objectives are specific and measurable ways to get there. Some definitions go as far as to say that goals can't be measured, and objectives can.

As such, the concept of SMART goals is really a misnomer of sorts, since these would really be objectives by the traditional definition used in the business world.

In terms of practical project management in the corporate world, however, the term includes the use of the world "goals." At least, this has been my experience when working for two large major technology companies.

Other companies may define things differently, but many texts leave out the word "objectives" and substitute the world "goals" as well.

Rules For SMART Goals

In talking about the link between motivation and goal setting, the topic of SMART comes up. Below, we'll expand on that a bit.

The requirements are "specific, measurable, attainable (or achievable), realistic (or relevant), and time bound (sometimes referred to as "timely").

There are other alternative words for each of the requirements.

• Specific -- If your goal is too general, it won't have focus. It will also be difficult to measure (the second requirement), and have less impact.

  The more specific the goal, the easier it will be to understand what it is you need to do in order to accomplish it.

  Your goal, therefore, should be specific, and be phrased as though it will happen. For example, if we take weight loss, instead of saying I want to be thin, you'd say I will lose 10 lbs. (that's still not the complete goal, but it's a start).

• Measurable -- If you can measure it, you can track it. If you can track it, you can improve upon it. In the weight loss example, if you just say I want to lose weight, that's not enough.

  You have to be able to measure success (or the lack thereof). So, pick a number and stick to it. The bottom line here is that if you can't measure it, then how do you know how well you're doing, and what to do to change the results? You don't.

• Attainable (Achievable) -- This is one that I think is misunderstood. You should aim high. But aiming too high is not going to help you.

  Why? Well, if you're trying to lose 50 lbs. by next week, that's probably not going to happen. Your motivation, and your results, will be better served by setting a goal of losing 5 lbs. per week until you've reached the 50 lb. mark.

  I'm not suggesting that you abandon an objective of losing 50 lbs. I'm simply saying that if you choose an unachievable goal, you're setting yourself up for failure.

  If you want to become a famous actor, how likely is it that you're going to be able to do that by appearing in a small play, playing a small role?

  Unlikely. But, it's a start. You may have to move to London, or New York, or Los Angeles if you want to become famous, so adjust your goals and your plans accordingly.

• Realistic (Relevant) -- A goal might be attainable, but just because you can achieve something that doesn't mean that you should.

  You have to do a reality check. It can be difficult to envision how a goal could be attainable but not realistic, so let's try a few examples to make it clearer.

  Let's say that you want to spend a month in a foreign country. That might be attainable, but if it means you're going to lose your job, you might want to rethink things.

  If you want to gain 50 lbs. of muscle, but it means taking steroids, you might want to rethink that one as well. Instead of cutting out all sugar all at once, do it gradually.

  The "R" sometimes stands for Relevant rather than Realistic. This may or may not be a better parameter to use for your goals, depending upon the circumstances.

• Time bound -- Time bound, or timely, as it's sometimes referred to, is pretty straight forward. This is basically referring to the fact that you need to place a deadline or completion date on your accomplishment.

  Without a deadline to keep you in line, your power to accomplish is diminished.

  In our weight loss example, I will lose 10 lbs. becomes I will lose 10 lbs. by February 1. More examples would be I will write 3 pages for my book each week, I will walk 5 miles every day, and so on.

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