How to Set SMART Goals
Part 1 of 5: Be Specific 1. Make your goal focused and well-defined. A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. 2. When setting your goal, make sure you can answer the 6 “W” questions: Who, What, When, Where, Which, and Why. The more specific a goal is, the more you can find ways of reaching your target. Ask questions such as: Who is involved? What do I want to accomplish? Where will this happen? Identify a location. When will this happen? Establish a time frame. Which requirements and restraints will be part of the process? Identify them. Why am I setting this goal? Jot down the specific reasons and benefits of accomplishing this goal. 3. Know the difference between a specific goal and a vague goal. For example, there is a difference between saying, “I want to lose weight” and “I want to lose 30 pounds.” When you set a goal to lose 30 pounds, you can measure your progress as you decrease your weight from 30 pounds, down to 25, down to 20, and so on. This will help you see progress and motivate you to keep pushing forward. Other examples of specific and vague goals: ...