We all set goals in our personal and professional lives. However, many of us fail to set our goals effectively, and therefore never achieve them. Our goals are often stated in terms such as “I’ll increase productivity next week.” That’s too vague to give anyone guidance or to spur motivation to enhance performance.
To help ourselves and our employees understand what we want to achieve, we need to implement S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting.
“S” Stands for SPECIFIC
“M” Refers to MEASURABLE
“A” Means ACTION-ORIENTED
“R” Stands for REALISTIC
“T” Means TIMELY
By using the S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting technique, your goals are more focused and clearer for you and others to follow. So instead of saying “I’ll increase productivity next week”, your goal could be “By next Friday, I will have contacted 25 new potential clients by increasing my call quota by 5 per day.”
This new goal (1) is specific in what it will achieve, (2) can be measured and tracked for progress, (3) requires you to take action, (4) is realistic and challenging, and (5) has a specific due date to work towards. By using the simple format: By (date), (what will be accomplished). You very quickly format your goals into a SMART format.
Be S.M.A.R.T. for effective goal setting that works!
Are you stuck doing things you need to stop? Are you ready to get results?
Read Stop So You Can Get The Results You Want and start doing what effective leaders KNOW and DO!
Copyright MCMXCVII – Liz Weber, CMC, CSP – Weber Business Services, LLC – www.WBSLLC.com +1.717.597.8890
Liz supports clients with strategic and succession planning, as well as leadership training and executive coaching. Learn more about me on LinkedIn!