Example of a SMART Goal

Here is an example of a SMART goal that may help you with your future decisions. SMART is an acronym that stands for:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Relevant
• Time-Bound

In life and in business, goals that are SMART may help create the movement and outcome that is desired. So how do you create a SMART goal?

Smart goals examples

Typically, these goals are used within a business context; i.e. managers ask their employees to create goals during the review times. However, these goals can also be applied to one’s personal life to create a well-intentioned and well-meaning outcome that is satisfactory to the parties involved. Read more and see an example of a SMART goal in action.

• SMART goals are Specific: When writing the goal, be sure to be specific by addressing the five “W”s of questions; Who… What… When… Where… Why…?

• SMART goals are Measurable: If you don’t know when or how you’ve achieved the goal, how will you be successful? This is why when creating the goal, there should be a way to “measure” the goal. This can be done numerically, quantitatively or in another way that can be measured and verified by an agreed-upon standard.

• SMART goals are Achievable: Goals are created because it is something we aspire to. That is, we create goals to reach something that we don’t have currently and we assess that reaching the goal will fulfill something within us. Within the field of coaching, the way a goal/action is considered achievable is whether or not it is currently congruent with how things are currently being done. An example of a SMART goal that is achievable is declaring, “I will use the stationary bike at the neighborhood gym, 3 days a week, for 45 minutes”. If some physical exercise is part of your normal routine, then the example goal here is not too far of a stretch. If not, then this may not be an achievable goal.

• SMART goals are Relevant: Using the fitness example of a smart goal above, if you have no interest in physical fitness, visiting the gym, or a stationary bike, then the goal above is irrelevant to you. How do you create a goal that is relevant? Well, what are your interests? Where do you wish to go forward with your interests? How will this serve you?

• SMART goals are Time-Bound: This is related to the goal being measurable. How do you know when you’ve succeeded? Did you have a start date? How about an end date? If you are just trying this out and seeing whether it would be a source for future congruency, then perhaps a clear-cut start and end date are necessary.