Setting SMART Goals
Disclaimer: When I write posts like this one I always hear a voice of skepticism asking who I think I am to be spouting out advice? I’m a horrible procrastinator, planner, follow-upper, etc. What do I have to offer? I guess I’m offering the only thing I can, my experience. Hope you’re able to get something from it even if it’s just a printable!
Yes, I’m aware that New Year’s was a couple weeks ago and yes, I’m also aware that most people make their resolutions,complete with bells, whistles, and gym memberships, at that time. But see, there actually isn’t one set time to make a resolution, set a goal, or choose a word. Deciding a change is needed doesn’t always happen in a calendar year nor is it something you can schedule for when the time is right. When the desire to have more, be more, reach for more, or even dream of more hits you…you need to run with it! That said, the pristinely clean pages of a new calendar always make for a great motivator. It’s like they’re screaming, “Will you do something already!?”
It’s been my experience that the best way to get started is to put pen to paper and come up with a SMART goal and the strategies you’ll use to reach it. SMART is a mnemonic acronym for: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely. If you Google it you’ll find out that some use different words like Time-Bound or Realistic but the gist of it stays the same.
My SMART Goal for 2015 printable
To figure out your SMART goals and really get them to work for you start off by answering the following questions. DO NOT spend ions of time on this step! This is not the to-do list, this is the bigger picture to which your to-do list will lead.
Specific: What exactly is it you want to accomplish?
Measurable: How will you know you’ve accomplished your goal?
Attainable: What needs to happen for you to reach your goal?
Relevant: Is this something that is important to you and your life right now?
Timely: What is the time frame in which you hope to accomplish this goal?
Next up, Strategies! Again, we’re working on a broader level, still not on the to-do list. For example; if my SMART goal is to grow my blog stats by 50% before the end of the year then a strategy might be focusing my attention on one or two social media platforms.
Wait for it…
NOW it’s time to write your to-dos but don’t write one giant list. Instead grab your calendar and a notepad. For each strategy you came up with write a task list. If your tasks are time specific don’t just add them to your this month’s calendar pages, add them to EVERY month’s pages!! Then if when you slack off it’ll be there…staring at you…mocking you…judging you…okay, maybe it only judges me. Anyway, keeping with the earlier example my task list might look like this:
- Post 3 times a day
- Pin daily (25 pins to include my work, group boards, repins, etc.)
- Comment at least once a day
P.S. If you’re not already doing it, take advantage of the free calendar apps and services out there! I will never give up my pen and paper BUT there are many days it’s those reminders popping up that keeps me on task!
I feel like there is more I should, and could, be saying but I don’t want to waste anymore of your time! If you’re like me you’ll visit at least three or four other sites before you actually get started. I’ll let them fill in the details I didn’t touch on and tell you not to get discouraged, be realistic, and it’s okay to have setbacks. Now, go out there and make things happen!
