Setting
SMART Goals
The Importance of SMART Goals
Goal setting is a principle tool in reaching one’s full potential and
encouraging positive wellbeing. A goal is defined as “the object of a
person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result” - they are what help
us to progress and focus on what is important in our lives. Goals can be
short or long-term, but to increase the likelihood of goals being achieved,
they need to be SMART. SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific,
Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Therefore, a SMART
goal incorporates all these criteria.
The Benefits of SMART Goal Setting:
Provides clearer direction
Provides a measure of
and focus
progress
Provides a better Ensures time and resources
understanding of expectations
are used effectively
Aids productivity and Increases the likelihood of
efficiency
accomplishment
Increases accountability, Provides a sense of purpose,
motivation and commitment
achievement and satisfaction
Aids prioritisation
Improves decision making
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Defining SMART Goals
Specific
Goals must be well defined, clear and unambiguous. The more specific the goal is, the
greater chance it will be accomplished. To make a goal specific, you should ask
yourself:
What do I want to achieve?
Why do I want to achieve it?
Who needs to be involved?
Where will this be achieved?
When do I want to achieve this by?
Measurable
Goals must have specific criteria that can measure your progress toward their
accomplishment. Ask yourself:
Have I assigned a numerical value to my goal? E.g. how many/much?
How will I know if I have reached my goal?
What is my indicator of progress?
Achievable
Goals must be stretching but not impossible to achieve. Make sure it is attainable. Ask
yourself:
Do I have the resources and capabilities to achieve this goal in the time-frame
set? If not, what am I missing?
Have others completed this before?
Relevant
Goals need to be relevant to your values and priorities, they must have a purpose. Ask
yourself:
Does this goal help me/others achieve wider ambitions?
Does this goal have a purpose? If so, what is it?
Is this goal relevant to my values and priorities, or those of my team or organisation?
Time-bound
Goals must have a clearly defined timeline, including start and end dates, as well as
interim targets if necessary. Ask yourself:
Does my goal have a deadline?
What tasks do I need to complete, and by when, to meet the final deadline?
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How to write a
SMART goal
Step 1:
Write down your initial goal.
Step 2:
Go through each of the SMART
categories and answer the suggested
questions.
Step 3:
Review your answers from step 2 and
craft a new goal statement using the
SMART details.
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Here is an example :
Write down the initial goal you have in mind.
INITIAL GOAL
I want to improve my performance review scores in Excel.
What do I want to achieve? Why do I want to achieve it? Who needs to be
involved? Where will this be achieved? When do I want to achieve this by?
SP CFC
E I I
I received low marks (4/10) on my ability to use Excel in my performance review,
so I want to do better next time. I need to do this in my spare time and practice
regularly.
Have I assigned a numerical value to my goal? E.g. how many/much? How will I
know if I have reached my goal? What is my indicator of progress?
MEAS U RABLE
By my next review, I want to score at least 7/10 for my abilities in Excel. This
means I will be able to create graphs, tables and manipulate data efficiently and
create templates that my colleagues can use.
D -
o I have the resources and capabilities to achieve this goal in the time frame
set? If not, what am I missing? Have others completed this before?
AC HIE V ABLE
Improving my Excel skills is instrumental in moving forward in my career and
receiving a better performance review. I can set time aside every week to watch
Excel tutorials and even attend an online class that can teach me new skills. I can
also ask my colleagues and managers for Excel tips.
D oes this goal help me/others achieve wider ambitions? D oes this goal have a
purpose? Is this goal relevant to my values and priorities, or those of my team or
organisation?
RELE V
ANT
Working with Excel is currently 25% of my job. As I move up in the company, I’ll
need to spend 50% of my time using Excel. I enjoy my career and want to
continue to grow within this company.
D oes my goal have a deadline? What tasks do I need to complete, and by when,
to meet the final deadline?
TIME BO - U D N
I need to be confident in using Excel by my next performance review in 12
months. Each month I will check my progress against the online course
expectations to make sure I am on track.
Review your answers above and craft a new goal statement using the SMART
details.
SMART GOAL
To grow in my career, I need to improve my Excel skills. By taking online classes
and reviewing tutorials, I’ll improve my Excel skills so that I achieve at least 7/10
in my performance review in 12 months.
Relevant
Specific
Measurable
“To grow in my career, I need to improve
my Excel skills. By taking online classes
and reviewing tutorials, I’ll improve my
Excel skills so that I achieve at least 7/10
in my performance review in 12 months.”
Achievable
Time-bound
Why not use the blank template on
the next page to make your own
goals SMART!
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Setting SMART Goals
Write down the goal you have in mind.
INITIAL GOAL
What do I want to achieve? Why do I want to achieve it? Who needs to be
involved? Where will this be achieved? When do I want to achieve this by?
SPECIFIC
Have I assigned a numerical value to my goal? E.g. how many/much? How will I
know if I have reached my goal? What is my indicator of progress?
MEASURABLE
Do I have the resources and capabilities to achieve this goal in the time-frame
set? If not, what am I missing? Have others completed this before?
ACHIEVABLE
Does this goal help me/others achieve wider ambitions? Does this goal have a
purpose? Is this goal relevant to my values and priorities, or those of my team or
organisation?
RELEVANT
Does my goal have a deadline? What tasks do I need to complete, and by when,
to meet the final deadline?
TIME-BOUND
Review your answers above and craft a new goal statement using the new
SMART details.
SMART GOAL
