Step 3 - SMART Goals

Specific - For a goal to be accomplished, it has to be specifically defined. It can’t be vague or ambiguous, it needs to be specific. If it’s not specific, there is no way to achieve it. A vague goal would be: “I want to leave manual labor.” A more specific goal is: “I want to go into sales.” A very specific goal is: “I want to take a 6 week marketing class.” Specific goals need to be measurable.

Measurable – If a goal can’t be measured it is ineffective. A mission statement will reveal what people want, a measurable goal helps you get there.  A mission statement can’t be checked off, a measurable goal can be checked off, because it uses concrete terms. Concrete terms would be, “I am going to take a 6 week class.” Nebulous terms allow for blame-shifting, “I want to try to take some classes.” It allows the employee to blame-shift when they fail, “I did try, I just failed because…” Measurable goals are measurable because they are attainable.

Attainable –Each goal should be 30-90 days. When the goal is attainable, it cause people to feel the momentum build. It changes the goal from a lofty vision too something that is actually happening. The goal needs to be do-able. At first people make goals that are too easy or too hard. This is OK, eventually they will figure out how to make attainable goals. Attainable goals aren't daunting or boring if they are relevant.

Relevant – The goal is something each employee really wants and therefore will be ambition to achieve. If the goal is what others want, they will fail, because they don't really want it. They need to make goals they are passionate about. This way, when they see the long road ahead, they will press on. Each step should mark success in their ultimate pursuit.

Trackable – Each goal should have steps that can be tracked. If they are measurable and attainable, progress should be trackable and should be checked off in the process.  Again, it is useful to use concrete terms that are specific. A class that is 6 weeks can be tracked every week by a grade. Tracking also relates to timing.

In the SMART Goal System, there are 7 steps: 

1. Assessment
2. Mission/vision
3. SMART goals
4. Timing
5. Responsibility
6. Action Item
7. Flexibility.