A few years ago I was registered to run a half-marathon (13.1 miles). A few weeks before the race I had my last long training run scheduled. I was planning to run 12 miles. I was out and pounding the pavement by 6am. The weather was perfect, my legs felt great, and I was rocking out to my music playlist. By the time I got back to my car, I had run 18 miles. On race day I ran the full 26.2 miles. The moral of the story is I had set a goal, measured the progress, and made adjustments when necessary.
No matter if you are trying to complete a personal or professional goal the advice is still the same. Use SMART goals to achieve your dreams.
What are SMART goals?
Specific – Answer the 5 W’s of What, Why, Who, Where, Which
Measurable – Set a standard for measurement. Examples include, numbers of calls, contacts, or sales
Achievable – Find the balance between easy and impossible so the goal has meaning
Relevant – Does it matter? Does it REALLY matter?
Timely – Set a target date for completion
How do you know if you are winning if you are not keeping score? Setting SMART goals will allow you to track your progress and make any necessary changes. Think about your dreams and set SMART goals today!
Need examples? Check out the examples in this article about setting business goals.