Setting Smart Goals: Savvy Strategies To Help You Succeed

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Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals Savvy Strategies to Help you Succeed Screen reader note: This presentation has clickable buttons to make this presentation interactive- clicking is not required though. You can still access all content by reviewing each page of the presentation in order. Begin! W H A T I S A S . M . A . R . T . G O A L ? S.M.A.R.T. is a goal-setting tool, which identifies five criteria for setting effective goals: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Goals built around these criteria are likely to be met because they are focused, realistic, and actionable. For more specific definitions and examples of each criterion, use the buttons below: S Specific M Measurable A Achievable R Relevant T Time Bound I’m ready for a quiz! S I S F O R S P E C I F I C When setting a goal, be specific about what you would like to achieve. Think about how you might reach your goal, as well as what you hope to gain by achieving it.

I want to be a better student. This is a vague goal. Without further definition, it will be difficult to achieve. To improve this goal, ask, “Why do I want to be a better student? And more importantly, how can I become a better student?” This term, I will focus on improving my probability skills and earn at least a B in my statistics course.

This goal is much more specific. It includes a focused definition of what it means to be a better student (at least a B grade) and considers what can be gained by achieving this goal (improved math skills). S Specific M Measurable A Achievable R Relevant T Time Bound Take me home! M I S F O R M E A S U R A B L E Realistic, effective goals offer a way to measure your progress. Measurable goals also clearly indicate when you have succeeded in achieving your goal.

I want to be in better health. This goal can’t be measured. What does it mean to be in better health and how will you know when you have achieved it? I will improve my physical health by riding my bike to work at least three times per week. This goal is measurable.

It will be achieved when you successfully ride your bike to work a minimum of three times per week. S Specific M Measurable A Achievable R Relevant T Time Bound Take me home! A I S F O R A C H I E V A B L E Set goals that are feasible, realistic, and within reach. Goals should be challenging but not unattainable—otherwise, you may be setting yourself up to fail. I am going to write 25 pages of my dissertation each week, so that I can finish within 6 weeks.

This goal is likely unachievable. Dissertations are meant to be written over long periods of time. Even full-time professional authors cannot adhere to such a rigorous pace. For the entire month of January, I will dedicate at least one, distraction-free hour per day to writing my dissertation. While still challenging, this goal is more realistic.

If all goes well, at the end of January, you can commit yourself to another month of daily writing or adjust your goal to better suit your lifestyle and obligations. S Specific M Measurable A Achievable R Relevant T Time Bound Take me home! R I S F O R R E L E V A N T Goals should reflect your values and long-term objectives. Avoid setting goals that may distract from, or that don’t directly contribute to, the achievement of more urgent, overarching aims. I will complete my Master’s of Nursing within three years by taking two online classes per term.

Again, if you are a Master’s of Nursing student, it makes sense to set a goal that is directly related to your long-term academic and professional objectives. I want to write a novel before I turn 40. For career authors and creative writers, this might be a realistic and relevant goal. However, if you are actively pursuing a Master’s in Nursing in order to further an established career in the health field, focusing on a novel is likely distracting and counterproductive. S Specific M Measurable A Achievable R Relevant T Time Bound Take me home!

T I S F O R T I M E - B O U N D When you set a goal, establish a target deadline or timeframe, as well. Deadlines help you stay motivated and focused on achieving your goal. I want to run a marathon. This goal may be achievable, but without a timeframe, it doesn’t mean much. Many of us want to run a marathon someday; fewer of us commit to and train for a specific event.

I will adhere to the Runner’s World 16-week training schedule, so that I am prepared to run the Boston Marathon on April 15th. This goal is specific, measurable, achievable, and time- bound. It includes a deadline, which is tied to a particular event and realistic training plan. S Specific M Measurable A Achievable R Relevant T Time-Bound I’m ready for a quiz! Take me home! S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z – Q U E S T I O N 1 1.) A middle school teacher sets the following goal: I will attend two professional development workshops. Which two S.M.A.R.T. criteria does this goal fail to meet? Time Bound and Specific Relevant and Measurable Take me home! S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z – Q U E S T I O N 1 C O R R E C T A N S W E R A middle school teacher sets the following goal: I will attend two professional development workshops. Which two S.M.A.R.T. criteria does this goal fail to meet? Time Bound and Specific That’s right! Setting a goal to attend two workshops is measurable. When the teacher has attended two workshops, they’ve achieved their goal. Moreover, attending professional development is likely relevant to a middle school teacher. However, this goal is not specific (which two workshops and why?), nor is it tied to a deadline (when will this task be completed?). Next Question Take me home! S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z – Q U E S T I O N 1 I N C O R R E C T A N S W E R A middle school teacher sets the following goal: I will attend two professional development workshops. Which two S.M.A.R.T. criteria does this goal fail to meet? Relevant and Measurable Take a second look at this one: setting out to attend two workshops means that the goal is measurable. When the teacher has attended two workshops, they have achieved their goal.

Moreover, attending professional development is likely relevant to a middle school teacher. However, this goal is not specific (which two workshops and why?), nor is it tied to a deadline (when will this task be completed?). Try again! Next Question Take me home! S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z – Q U E S T I O N 2 2.) A doctoral Public Health student sets the following goal: To improve my grammar, I will complete the Sentence Structure Basics and Verbs modules in the Writing Center with a 90% score within 6 months.

Does this goal meet all five S.M.A.R.T. criteria? Yes No Take me home! S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z – Q U E S T I O N 2 C O R R E C T A N S W E R A doctoral Public Health student sets the following goal: To improve my grammar, I will complete the Sentence Structure Basics and Verbs modules in the Writing Center with a 90% score within 6 months. Does this goal meet all five S.M.A.R.T. criteria? Yes That’s right! This goal does, in fact, meet all five criteria. The student refers to specific modules, sets a metric to determine success (90%), and attaches the goal to a timeframe of 6 months. Moreover, this is an achievable goal—the student is not expecting perfection, and the timeline is realistic. Finally, for a doctoral student who will eventually write a dissertation, proper grammar is especially important, which means that this goal is relevant. Next QuestionTake me home! S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z – Q U E S T I O N 2 I N C O R R E C T A N S W E R A doctoral Public Health student sets the following goal: To improve my grammar, I will complete the Sentence Structure Basics and Verbs modules in the Writing Center with a 90% score within 6 months. Does this goal meet all five S.M.A.R.T. criteria? No This goal does, in fact, meet all five criteria, and here’s why: the student refers to specific modules, sets a metric to determine success (90%), and attaches the goal to a timeframe of 6 months. Moreover, this is an achievable goal—the student is not expecting perfection, and the timeline is realistic. Finally, for a doctoral student who will eventually write a dissertation, proper grammar is especially important, which means that this goal is relevant.

Try again! Next questionTake me home! S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z – Q U E S T I O N 3 3.) A Bachelor’s of Psychology student sets the following goal: I want to improve my listening skills. Is this goal measurable? Yes No Take me home! S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z – Q U E S T I O N 3 C O R R E C T A N S W E R A Bachelor’s of Psychology student sets the following goal: I want to improve my listening skills. Is this goal measurable? No Good work! This goal is not measurable. It does not include a way to measure or track the student’s improvements. Furthermore, because it does not offer a definition of what improved listening skills looks like, it would be impossible to know when this goal has been achieved. What's next? Take me home! S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z – Q U E S T I O N 3 I N C O R R E C T A N S W E R A Bachelor’s of Psychology student sets the following goal: I want to improve my listening skills. Is this goal measurable? Yes This goal is not measurable. It does not include a way to measure or track the student’s improvements. Furthermore, because it does not offer a definition of what improved listening skills looks like, it would be impossible to know when this goal has been achieved. Try again! What's next?

Paper For Above instruction

Effective goal setting is essential for personal and professional growth, and the S.M.A.R.T. framework offers a structured approach to ensure goals are well-defined and attainable. S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, each serving as a critical criterion for formulating effective goals. By adhering to these principles, individuals can enhance their chances of success, stay motivated, and track progress more efficiently.

Firstly, the goal must be specific. A clear and precise goal provides direction and focus, which increases the likelihood of achievement. For example, rather than aiming to "be a better student," specifying the goal to "improve probability skills and earn at least a B in my statistics course" clarifies both the focus and the expected outcome. Specific goals answer the questions of what, how, and why, fostering a targeted approach to achievement (Doran, 1981).

Secondly, the goal should be measurable. Quantifiable criteria allow individuals to track their progress and determine when they have successfully achieved their goal. For instance, setting a goal to ride a bike to work at least three times per week provides a concrete measure of progress. Measurable goals provide motivation by offering tangible milestones and clear indicators of success (George & Grant, 2017).

Third, the goal must be achievable. While challenging goals can motivate, they must also be realistic. A goal such as writing 25 pages of a dissertation weekly might be unachievable due to time constraints, whereas committing to one distraction-free hour daily is more feasible. Setting attainable goals prevents frustration and burnout, fostering sustained motivation (Locke & Latham, 2002).

Fourth, the goal should be relevant, aligning with broader personal or professional objectives. For example, completing a Master’s in Nursing within three years supports a long-term career in healthcare. Conversely, aiming to write a novel when pursuing a career in nursing might be less relevant. Relevance ensures that efforts contribute meaningfully to overarching aspirations (Schunk, 2012).

Lastly, the goal must be time-bound with a clear deadline. Deadlines create a sense of urgency and help sustain motivation over time. An example is committing to run a marathon by adhering to a specific training schedule leading up to an event on a set date. Time constraints provide structure and prevent goals from being indefinitely postponed (Latham & Locke, 2007).

In practice, applying the S.M.A.R.T. criteria involves assessing each goal against these five elements. For example, a middle school teacher aiming to attend two professional development workshops may fail to meet the specifics if the workshops are not identified, or the timeframe if a deadline is not set. Conversely, a doctoral student aiming to enhance grammatical skills by completing specific modules within six months exemplifies a well-constructed S.M.A.R.T. goal, as it meets all five criteria.

In conclusion, the S.M.A.R.T. framework provides a practical and effective method for setting goals that are focused, realistic, and aligned with personal growth objectives. By ensuring that goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, individuals increase their chances of success and develop a clear pathway toward accomplishing their aspirations. Incorporating these principles into daily planning and long-term goal setting can significantly improve outcomes across various domains of life and work.

References

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• George, B., & Grant, A. (2017). The 5 keys to goal setting. Harvard Business Review.
• Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American Psychologist, 57(9), 705–717.
• Latham, G. P., & Locke, E. A. (2007). New developments in goal setting and task motivation: A review and commentary. European Psychologist, 12(4), 290–300.
• Schunk, D. H. (2012). Motivation in education: Theory, research, and practice. Pearson Higher Ed.
• George, B., & Grant, A. (2017). The 5 keys to goal setting. Harvard Business Review.
• Lopez, S. J., & Snyder, C. R. (Eds.). (2011). The Oxford handbook of positive psychology. Oxford University Press.
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• McClelland, D. C. (1961). The achieving society. Van Nostrand.
• Grant, A. (2014). Originals: How non-conformists move the world. Viking.