SMART Goals - A Quick Introduction!

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GOAL SETTING only becomes important if you know where you want to go. Goals are the steps that, when successfully accomplished, will have taken you from where you are now, to where you want to be at a specific future point in time.  

Perhaps one of the "smartest" things to do, is to set some SMART Goals!  
Here are a few guiding thoughts for you to use.


SMART Goals are:

·      Specific

·      Measurable

·      Attainable

·      Realistic

·      Time-Bound

LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT EACH OF THOSE CHARACTERISTICS AND ADD A FEW THOUGHTS!

Specific - Divide large and general goals into smaller, more specific ones.

Measurable - Can your progress toward your goal be tracked? What measurements provide the clearest indication of progress? Can these measurements be used in other areas of your business management? (Look to measure aspects related to: Quality, cost and time.)

Attainable - Can your goal actually be done? Is it possible, or is it impossible?

Realistic - If it can be achieved, what investment of time, energy and resources would be required? Are you prepared to pursue this goal?

Time-bound - When will you have achieved this goal? Set short term, intermediate and long term goals. Remember that even in taking small steps, you do get closer to your ultimate goal. This is still progress!


GOALS are like the lofty mountain heights that keep us looking upwards on our journey.  They keep us oriented in the right direction, pointing the way.  When the going gets tough, we need only to glance again at the goal.  Knowing we are closer, while not yet there, does not cause us to despair.  Rather, it lifts our spirits and provides a renewed sense of purpose and flesh vigour to continue on our way. 


HOW DO YOU SET GOALS?  WHAT WORKS FOR YOU? 

We look forward to your helpful comments here!