How to Achieve More by Setting SMART Goals
If you want to be a successful person, then you need to define your goals. Every student and business professional knows this. Still, we can’t achieve some goals in everyday life. It creates a massive difference in how you define and set your goals. Set those goals that are actionable, motivating and favorable for the business. SMART goals contain all these factors.
Why Setting the Right Goal is Necessary?
Sometimes, we set unrealistic and indistinct goals. Sometimes, we set no deadline for a goal, or the deadline is too tight. You make so many errors when setting goals. However, you need to set goals in your life if you want to achieve something more significant. Goals keep you on the right track. Whether you are a worker, student, or anything in between, you can’t achieve status in life without goals. They keep you motivated and enhance your skill level. In some cases, setting goals won’t be so effective. On the basis of five particular criteria that are “SMART,” Locke and Latham showed that you could achieve the best results by following SMART.
What are SMART Goals?
SMART is the acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attractive, Realistic, and Timed. It is also used in alternative terms but with the same meaning.
Specific:
As the name depicts, you need to set your goals precisely and specifically. Set your goals accordingly and also mention your desired outcomes. Set positive or constructive goals like ‘I want to lose weight,’ I want to make my company more profitable, etc. There should be no room for any explanation.
Measurable:
Whether qualitative or quantitative, your goals can consist of anything. It is necessary to describe your goals clearly so that they can be tested. Find important measurable such as weekly or monthly sales, revenues, or the number of conversions.
Attractive:
If your team is working together, then set an attractive goal, so everyone feels engaged. Achieving something bigger is not bad, but do not set the goal too high. Unrealistic goals can kill motivation or passion. You need to check the availability of time and available resources in order to define realistic goals.
Realistic:
It is the main thing that you should keep in mind. If you want that your team members accept responsibility, then set realistic and achievable goals. Without commitment and motivation, you can’t achieve even a smaller goal.
Timed:
Set the right and clear deadline so that employees feel motivated. Setting a specific deadline for each goal will increase the chances of success. Follow up on the progress on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. This thing will give a boost to your employees.
Sample Application for SMART Goals:
It looks very overwhelming to set a specific goal. You need to go through so many variables to determine your goal. It requires so much mental effort. But, regular practice will make things easier. The following examples will you how you can set goals by using SMART goals,
1- If you are not satisfied with your job, then you can set a goal like that “I want to change my job”.
2- If your company is not generating good revenue, you can set a goal “we need to increase our profits”.
Advantages and Disadvantages of SMART Goals:
Every technique or method has its own benefits and drawbacks. The same goes for SMART goals. Here we have evaluated some major advantages and disadvantages of SMART goals,
Advantages:
- Helps to Achieve Goals:
When you decide to go on a trip, you know what you need to pack in your bag. So, SMART goals help to achieve goals better and easier. In short, they are a good starting point.
- Helps to Clear Priorities:
By setting your goals, you can easily understand your priorities. When you have a clear picture of your priorities, you and your team members feel motivated.
- Enhances the Success Rate:
The chance of success increases to almost 50 percent when you have specific goals and clear priorities. So you can say that SMART goals play a huge role in your success.
Disadvantages:
- Encourage Mediocrity:
You need to set realistic goals when it comes to SMART goals. As a result, you can pursue your visionary goals.
- Hinder Motivation:
If your goals are not ambitious, they will kill your motivation. It is a serious disadvantage of SMART goals.
- Puts Pressure:
You have to set a specific deadline for each goal that puts pressure. Some people can’t handle this pressure and it is disastrous for them. It proves counterproductive that is not good for you and your business.
Is Smart Goals a Suitable Method?
Goals drive your business. It depends on how you set your goals. SMART is a proven tool for achieving more. You can achieve any milestone with the help of this tool. You can boost success chances with this particular technique. However, each method has its own benefits and drawbacks. Do not set too tight deadlines because they put unnecessary pressure and decrease productivity. You should stay away from such things in order to avoid counterproductive results.
Moreover, if you are not comfortable with SMART goals, you can go to alternatives. You can try the KRAFT Model, the ALPEN method, or the WOOP method. They are proven techniques for improving productivity and gaining desired results.
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