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Setting goals without a plan is a recipe for failure, as they will likely be overly ambitious and hold you back from accomplishments. Yet, you still don’t have any road map to achieve them. Therefore, it’s best to be SMART with your goals.
By following SMART goals examples, you’ll clearly know how to set effective goals with higher success rates, aiding your professional development.
The best thing about a SMART goal is that it forces you to think critically about your goals. In the process, it lays a foundation that will help you achieve your goals.
So, what exactly is SMART goal planning?
Before we get to the examples, let’s determine what makes a goal SMART.
What Are Smart Goals?
A SMART goal is a type of goal that strictly follows a specific format or framework whose acronym is the name itself, S.M.A.R.T (or SMART).
As an acronym within the context of goal setting, the letters in the word SMART mean the following:
- Specific: An effective goal must be laser specific to leave no room for confusion and misinterpretation.
- Measurable: Tracking the progress towards your goal and comparing it to defined metrics can make your goal easier to achieve. Break big or long-term goals into quantifiable targets to help you track your performance.
- Achievable: A SMART goal is realistic to the circumstances under which it’s being set. It will only be achieved if the time needed to complete a goal is realistic.
- Relevant: How relevant is the goal to other aspects of your life? For example, does it contribute to the overall lifestyle you’re working towards?
- Time-bound: SMART goals have defined start and end points (deadlines), after which they can be assessed to see their effectiveness. Specified timeframes create a sense of urgency that helps keep you accountable to your goals.
Why Are SMART Goals Effective?
SMART goal setting has proven effective because of how attainable, relevant, and tangible the goals are. The planner visualizes the outcome and the route to take to attain them, which helps them stay motivated.
A SMART goal emphasizes being realistic by considering the available resources, skills, and time needed to achieve it. Unrealistic circumstances or environments will make your goals hard to achieve. Therefore, when you set goals, you must intentionally achieve them.
Other characteristics of a SMART goal that make it effective include being able to be measured by having a time frame in which it needs to be achieved.
These measurable goals have milestones that outline progress and ensure the goal is achieved within a clearly defined and motivating time frame.
SMART Goal Examples for Life
1. Eating Healthier
Vague Goal:
I will start cooking healthier meals for my family.
SMART Goal:
I will cook at least four healthy meals using fresh ingredients weekly and reduce processed food intake by at least 50%.
SMART Goal Elements:
- Specific: My specific goal is to cook only four healthy meals per week. The ingredients I will use should be the freshest I can afford.
- Measurable: I will count how many meals I’ve cooked by assigning each meal daily. Also, the milestone targeted is a 50% reduction in the consumption of processed food which I can easily calculate.
- Achievable: I already know how to cook healthy meals, and I can quickly learn new recipes online. My work isn’t demanding, so I can find plenty of time to prepare meals.
- Relevant: By eating healthy meals, we will provide our bodies with essential nutrients, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and improve our overall health.
- Time-bound: This is a weekly activity.
2. Exercise More
Vague Goal
I will exercise regularly and be physically fit.
SMART Goal:
I will exercise for 45 minutes four times a week, for the next six months, by joining a fitness class and scheduling my workouts.
SMART Goal Elements:
- Specific: I will start exercising by joining a fitness class and scheduling workouts. Beginning this month, I will work out for 45 minutes four times a week for six months.
- Measurable: The duration of the workouts is 45 minutes, and the frequency is four times a week.
- Achievable: Joining a fitness class will make this goal feasible.
- Relevant: Regular exercise helps improve the health and wellness of a person.
- Time-bound: I will work out for six months, assess my progress, and determine where to improve.
3. Grow a Personal Network
Vague Goal:
I want to improve my social circle and make it more valuable.
SMART Goal:
From next month (May), I will start hosting a monthly dinner party and invite at least three new people in the same or close industry as mine to expand and add value to my social circle.
SMART Goal Elements:
- Specific: The goal is to have three new people join my dinner party each time I host. Therefore, the amount of times I will host the party is only once a month.
- Measurable: I will keep track of the number of new guests attending my monthly dinner parties.
- Achievable: With careful planning, I’ve already hosted several dinner parties, which were all successful.
- Relevant: Dinners parties are among the best places for creating new connections with people who matter to you.
- Time-bound: This is an ongoing activity that will take place monthly.
4. Earn More Money
Vague Goal:
Make more money from my business.
SMART Goal:
Increase my business revenue by 30% in the next 12 months by launching two new products and improving my online marketing strategy to increase website traffic and sales.
SMART Goal Elements:
- Specific: This goal is specific about what percentage (30%) I want to increase my business revenue by.
- Measurable: The percentages will indicate whether I’m on the right track.
- Achievable: I’ll increase sales and traffic to my website by launching new in-demand products and improving my online marketing strategy.
- Relevant: An increase in revenue leads to a rise in profits. It also means the business is doing well.
- Time-bound: The goal is set to run for 12 months, and I will assess the results afterward to see how effective the strategies are.
5. Increase Savings
Vague Goal:
Save more money.
SMART Goal:
I will increase my monthly savings by 10% within three months. I will create and stick to a budget to cut off unnecessary spending and direct the money into savings.
SMART Goal Elements:
- Specific: The goal is specific to how much I will increase my savings: 10%
- Measurable: I’ll use a budgeting app or a worksheet to track my progress.
- Achievable: I’ll reduce unnecessary spending like impulse buying and stick to my budget to realize this goal.
- Relevant: I’m saving to buy a new vacuum cleaner by the end of the three months.
- Time-bound: This goal will only last for three months so that I can get another vacuum cleaner.
6. Improve the Relationship With Your Spouse
Vague Goal:
Show my spouse appreciation.
SMART Goal:
I will show my spouse appreciation by expressing gratitude for specific things they do, such as cooking a delicious meal or completing a household chore, at least once daily.
SMART Goal Elements:
- Specific: I will improve my relationship with my partner by expressing gratitude for everything my partner does.
- Measurable: I’ll self-report daily in my journal how my relationship fares to assess how effectively expressing gratitude increases relationship satisfaction.
- Achievable: I live with my partner in the same house, so it’ll be easier to notice everything that merits appreciation.
- Relevant: Appreciating a partner shows how grateful you’re for them being in your life.
- Time-bound: This is a daily activity.
7. Learn a New Skill
Vague Goal:
Learn a new language.
SMART Goal:
Within six months, I can hold a basic conversation in Spanish by attending a language class twice a week and practicing speaking with a native speaker once a week.
SMART Goal Elements:
- Specific: Learn basic Spanish in six months by attending classes twice a week.
- Measurable: Hold a basic conversation with a native speaker by the end of the sixth month.
- Achievable: I’m always free from work on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Therefore, I’ll use that time to attend classes.
- Relevant: I’m an expatriate from China who will be working in Spain for five years.
- Time-bound: The classes are set to run for six months, after which I will evaluate my progress and decide if I need more Spanish tutoring.
8. Improve Morning Routine
Vague Goal:
Reduce morning stress levels.
SMART Goal:
Spend 15 minutes every morning practicing mindfulness meditation for the next month to reduce stress levels.
SMART Goal Elements:
- Specific: Reduce stress levels by practicing mindfulness meditation for 15 minutes daily.
- Measurable: I’ll self-report in a journal my experience practicing mindfulness meditation and note how I feel before and after each session. The journal will help me reflect on the effectiveness of the morning routine.
- Achievable: My mornings are not packed with activities, so setting aside 15 minutes for mindfulness meditation is doable.
- Relevant: Eliminating stress in the morning will help me get energized and ready for the day.
- Time-bound: This goal runs throughout next month, after which I’ll evaluate the results and decide whether to continue the morning routine.
SMART Goal Examples for Work:
9. Improve Time Management
Vague Goal:
I will stop work procrastination.
SMART Goal:
Complete all tasks at least one day in advance by setting reminders and breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps for the next three weeks.
SMART Goal Elements:
- Specific: For the next three weeks, I’ll complete my tasks at least one day in advance to stop procrastinating.
- Measurable: I’ll keep track of all tasks completed before the due date to determine my success rate.
- Achievable: I’ll set reminders and break down the tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
- Relevant: The earlier I complete tasks, the more time I get to go through them and ensure everything is correct.
- Time-bound: This goal’s duration is three weeks, which should be plenty of time for me to make this goal a more permanent habit.
10. Build a Professional Network
Vague Goal:
Build a professional network.
SMART Goal:
Attend at least two industry-related networking events each month for the next six months, and make at least five new professional connections at each event.
SMART Goal Elements:
- Specific: Attend networking events related to my industry twice a month for the next six months and make five professional connections at each event.
- Measurable: I’ll keep in touch with each connection I make for three months and see if they are worthwhile.
- Achievable: My company organizes monthly non-compulsory networking events, but I will set reminders since attending at least two is a goal.
- Relevant: An active professional network will help me learn more about the industry and open doors for more opportunities in the future.
- Time-bound: I’m set to start working on the goal next month and complete it after six months which then I will evaluate the results.
11. Transition to a New Job
Vague Goal:
Move to a new company.
SMART Goal:
Obtain a financial analyst role at a Fortune 500 company within nine months, utilizing my financial analysis skills, experience, and certifications and networking with alums and industry professionals.
SMART Goal Elements:
- Specific: Move to a Fortune 500 company as a financial analyst.
- Measurable: The new company I will move to should be a Fortune 500.
- Achievable: I already have the necessary certificates, experience, and skills to be a financial analyst for a more prominent company like a Fortune 500 one.
- Relevant: Financial analyst role in a Fortune 500 company pays more, and I can clear my student loan faster.
- Time-bound: The time frame set for this goal is nine months, starting from this month, April.
12. Achieve Work-Life Balance
Vague Goal:
I will improve the balance between my work and life.
SMART Goal:
I’m working to reduce my work-related stress within the next two months. I will set boundaries, delegate extra tasks, and limit work hours to 8 daily. I will also spend at least 2 hours daily on self-care activities such as meditation and exercises.
SMART Goal Elements:
- Specific: The goal is specific to work-related stress. It’s also specific about what I will do to reduce the stress. The activities include delegating tasks, working only 8 hours daily, and spending 2 hours on self-care.
- Measurable: I will only work on the exact number of tasks I can manage within 8 hours.
- Achievable: I know what tasks to pick and work on within 8 hours. I know what type of tasks I will delegate to respective professionals.
- Relevant: My mental health is important, and reducing work-related stress is one way of improving it.
- Time-bound: The time frame to reduce work-related stress is within the coming two months.
13. Public Speaking
Vague Goal:
Increase engagement in presentations.
SMART Goal:
Leverage multimedia tools like animations, images, and videos to enhance a 20-minute sales pitch to potential investors, resulting in at least 80% of the audience asking follow-up questions or showing interest in the product.
SMART Goal Elements:
- Specific: In a sales pitch that will last 20 minutes, I will use multimedia tools to spark the audience’s interest in our product.
- Measurable: The percentage of the audience that I’m looking forward to asking follow-up questions at the end of the presentation is 80%
- Achievable: Our product is new in the market, so the multimedia tools will only help fuel questions from the audience.
- Relevant: Multimedia tools effectively explain how a product works, especially when presenting a sales pitch that lasts only 20 minutes.
- Time-bound: This goal is for every sales pitch.
14. Get a Certification
Vague Goal:
Get certification in project management.
SMART Goal:
Achieve the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification within the next year by attending a PMP exam preparation course and passing the PMP exam.
SMART Goal Elements:
- Specific: I will enroll in a project management course and pass the certification exam to have one.
- Measurable: The grades I get on the exam will determine the certificate’s quality and my readiness to be in charge of a project.
- Achievable: A year is enough for me to sit in PMP class, learn the material, and succeed when writing the exam.
- Relevant: The promotion I seek requires a certificate in project management, which I can get within a year.
- Time-bound: Next year is dedicated to getting a valid PMP certificate.
15. Boost Leadership Skills
Vague Goal:
Improve team leadership.
SMART Goal:
Read at least two leadership books per month for the next six months, focusing on team dynamics, and apply the new knowledge to lead a successful project that meets or exceeds KPIs within the following year. I will start next month, which is March.
SMART Goal Elements:
- Specific: I will read two books on leadership that focus on team dynamics every month for six months.
- Measurable: I will keep track of each book I read by keeping a log of the title of the books and their key lessons, concepts, and strategies.
- Achievable: By keeping a log of what I learn from the books, I can implement them and evaluate their effectiveness after six months.
- Relevant: I’m already a team leader at my workplace, so it’s relevant that I improve my skills to bring out the best in everybody on my team.
- Time-bound: I will start reading on 1st March next month and go on for six months until August.
Achieve Your Dreams With Smart Goals
Goals and objectives give our lives focus. Therefore, when you write down any goal, you must make it an achievable and clear job.
A SMART goal has a framework that sets you up for success. It will help you get specific with what you’re trying to achieve, determine if it’s realistic, set the appropriate time to accomplish it, and decide how to measure your success rate with milestones.
Next time you develop goals, consider setting SMART goals instead and boost your success rate with your resolutions. The above SMART personal goals examples are only a starting point.
