The SMART Way to Set and Define Goals
Setting goals is an effective way to improve the chances of getting results you want. Without well-constructed goals, actions tend to be controlled by impulse or the urgency of the moment, preventing the accomplishment of what is important. Goals serve as road maps. They are plans detailing how to get from point A to point B in a logical sequence (Smith, 2010).
Setting and attaining goals has many aspects. Using the SMART way to set goals captures the essence of the aspects that are most important. Goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely (Morrison, 2009). Positive results will be achieved when goals are set using the SMART model.
The origins of using the acronym SMART in goal setting goes back many years. Many people claim Peter Drucker was the originator, but there is not any published proof of this. The first known uses of the term occur in the November 1981 issue of Management Review by George Doran. His article “There’s a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management’s Goals and Objectives” appears to be the first published article using the SMART acronym as is known today (Morrison, 2009). Since this time, many organizations and people have used this model in setting and defining their goals and objectives quite successfully.
By using the SMART way to set and define goals hurdles can easily be overcome that tend to interfere between intentions and aspirations - and greatly improve the chances of success.
Specific
The first step in setting a goal is to define it and make it specific. A goal is specific when it provides a description of what is to be accomplished. A specific goal is a focused goal. It will state exactly what is intended to be accomplished in a clear, concise, and well defined manner. While the description needs to be specific and focused, it also needs to be easily understood by those involved in its achievement. It should be written so that it can be easily and clearly...