How to Write SMART Goals–a Sure-Fire Way to Get Ahead

October 26, 2015

“Only 5% of people set goals, and that 5% achieves more than the other 95% combined.” While it may sound crazy, it’s true. How are you doing?

Knowing how to write SMART goals is vital if you want to improve your performance in business. Here are definitions and an example for SMART goals. Then read on to learn how a moose taught me the value in setting SMART goals.

SPECIFIC: You must be specific when you write SMART goals. It’s not just “I want to lose weight.” It’s “I want to lose weight on the paleo diet.”

MEASURABLE: You must be able to quantify your goals. “I want to lose 40 pounds on the paleo diet.”

ATTAINABLE: Your goal must be attainable. “I want to lose 40 pounds on the paleo diet and by scaling tall buildings.” What do you need to learn to do in order to scale tall buildings? What’s your plan for learning that?

REALISTIC: Your goal must be realistic. “I want to lose 40 pounds on the paleo diet so I can wear a size 2.” If you’re a size 16, that may be an unrealistic goal. Make sure your goal will test you but is not beyond what can be done.

TIMELY: Set time limits. This will give you a sense of urgency. It will help your unconscious align with your intention. “I want to lose 40 pounds on the paleo diet by losing 5 pounds a month for 8 months.”

How I learned to write SMART goals, courtesy of a moose

Several years ago we took a family vacation to Maine. Being a good business person, I set goals for the outcomes I wanted. I even wrote them down and shared with a peer group.

“Goals for Maine trip: to get a green tourmaline ring and to see a moose.”

We worked our way up the Maine coast, where I found a green tourmaline ring that spoke to me. Then we headed in to Moosehead Lake, a very large lake in upstate Maine. We even took a moose safari, a three-hour boat trip on the lake.

Everyone told us we would surely see a moose, because it was in the 90s and the animals would come down to the lake to cool off.

Obviously, the moose didn’t get the memo. They didn’t show.

The only moose we saw was one on the side of the road. It looked like a youngster taking a nap, but he was dead.

Technically, I met my goals. I got the ring, and I saw a moose.

However, had I used SMART goals, I would have declared my goal to be “see one moose, upright and breathing.” Not dead on the side of the road.

Be sure your SMART goals pass the moose test.