Set SMART Goals in 2021: Achieving Success
Setting goals is crucial in achieving success in every aspect of our lives. However, setting goals alone is not enough, we must set SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This article will discuss each aspect of setting SMART goals in detail and how they help us achieve success.
Specific
The first step in setting SMART goals is to be specific. We need to identify exactly what we want to achieve. Being specific allows us to develop a clear vision of what we want to accomplish. For instance, if we want to lose weight, being specific means identifying how much weight we want to lose and by when.
Measurable
The second aspect of setting SMART goals is making them measurable. It’s not enough to have a specific goal; we need to track our progress towards achieving it. This allows us to identify if we’re on track to achieve our goal or if we need to make adjustments. For example, if our goal is to save $10,000 by the end of the year, we must measure how much money we’re saving each month to ensure we’re on track to meet our goal.
Achievable
The third aspect of setting SMART goals is ensuring they’re achievable. Setting unattainable goals is setting ourselves up for failure. We need to ensure that our goals are realistic and within reach. For instance, if our fitness goal is to run a marathon, we need to assess our current fitness level and ensure we have enough time to train adequately. Setting a goal to run a marathon in two weeks when we haven’t been running at all is unrealistic and unachievable.
Relevant
The fourth aspect of setting SMART goals is ensuring they’re relevant. We must ensure that our goals align with our values, passions, and long-term objectives. Goals that are not relevant to our lives can take energy and focus away from achieving our long-term goals. For example, if our long-term objective is to become a successful entrepreneur, we need to ensure that our short-term goals align with this objective. Taking on a side job that has nothing to do with our long-term objective of becoming an entrepreneur is not relevant and will take our focus away from achieving our long-term objective.
Time-bound
The final aspect of setting SMART goals is ensuring they’re time-bound. Without a timeline, our goals can become vague and lack a sense of urgency. Having a deadline provides a sense of urgency and motivates us to take action. For instance, if our short-term goal is to learn a new skill, we must set a deadline to achieve this goal. Setting a deadline of six months provides a sense of urgency and creates a sense of accountability.
Putting it all together
By combining all aspects of setting SMART goals, we can create an actionable roadmap to achieve success. Let’s take an example of a SMART goal:
Specific: My goal is to complete a 30-day yoga challenge.
Measurable: I will track my progress by practicing yoga every day and journaling my experience.
Achievable: I will commit to practicing yoga every day for 30 minutes, which is achievable with my current schedule.
Relevant: By completing the 30-day yoga challenge, I will improve my mental and physical health, which aligns with my long-term objective of living a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
Time-bound: I will complete the 30-day yoga challenge by the end of the month.
Implementing SMART Goals for Success
Now that we understand the importance of setting SMART goals, let’s talk about how to implement them to achieve success:
- Write down your goals
- Break down long-term goals into short-term goals
- Hold yourself accountable
- Celebrate milestones
- Implement a support system
The Benefits of Setting SMART Goals
Setting SMART goals has numerous benefits that lead to success in our personal and professional lives:
- Increased motivation
- Clarity
- Focus
- Personal development
- Success
Conclusion
Setting SMART goals is essential in achieving success. By identifying specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals, we create an actionable roadmap towards achieving our long-term objectives. Implementing SMART goals takes effort and accountability, but it leads to increased motivation, clarity, focus, personal development, and ultimately, success. As we enter 2021, let’s make a commitment to set SMART goals for our personal and professional lives and pave the way towards a successful and fulfilling year.