SMART Goals for Smart Results
Have you ever spent hours putting a puzzle together only to find that there was a missing piece? How did that make you feel? Did you want to throw the whole puzzle away or find the missing piece? Sometimes, we spend so much time searching for that missing piece that we lose sight of the big picture. Specific, well thought out goals set the groundwork for filling in that missing piece of the puzzle.
Using the SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely) method is a good place to start. This allows you to focus your efforts, monitor your progress, and make adjustments to fit your needs. When you set clear, intentional goals and objectives, you can hold yourself accountable for achieving them.
When creating new goals, ask yourself these questions. Do you know exactly what it is that you want? Is it measurable? Can you realistically achieve it within your targeted timeframe? Is it personally or professionally relevant? Is it the right time to do it? Answering these questions gets you closer to achieving your goals.
“If you don’t know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.” –Lawrence J. Peter
When I was deciding whether to pursue a graduate degree, I looked at universities and compared the timeframe to completion, the curricula, the cost, and the potential impact of the degree program. I also considered the effort required to complete the program with my existing workload. With that in mind, I started my journey, only to realize after a semester of late nights and extensive workloads, I had no clear direction for where I was headed. So, I made a plan using the SMART method.
I will spend 20 hours a week on an online accelerated MBA program with a marketing concentration to become a Marketing Manager in the AEC industry within the next year.
Knowing exactly how much time I was willing to put into pursuing a degree, what I wanted to get out of it, and when I wanted to see results helped me stay focused and use my time productively. The more specific you can be with your goal, the easier it is to measure it and decide whether to make adjustments.