SMART Goals: Definition, How to Create, and Examples

Do you ever feel like you’ve put in everything but aren't reaching the target?

Typically, we often experience this, especially when we’re talking about the career journey.

Sometimes we impulsively expect significant progress during the journey, but upon realization, we actually find ourselves stuck, making only slight improvements over the years.

It doesn’t always mean that you have to work harder; sometimes you just need to state your goals in a clear and measurable way.

SMART goals are one of the approaches that can help you with this. In this article, we’re going to discuss what SMART goals are, and we’ll provide you with some examples to use in achieving your objectives.

▶ Also Read: What Jobseekers Must Know: 7 Tips for an Effective Job Searching Process

The “SMART” in SMART goals is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. SMART goals can be used as parameters to help individuals attain specific objectives within a certain targeted time frame.

By using SMART goals, you can define your goals in an executable and trackable manner. Due to its effectiveness, SMART goals are often used for performance reviews. This can help employees who are tasked with goal setting understand the exact requirements to achieve success.

Over time, this acronym has been tweaked and used in various ways depending on who uses it. However, SMART goals can now be defined through specific criteria, including:

(S) Specific

• What do you want to achieve in the future?
• Who is responsible for it?
• Why is the goal important?
• What actions are needed to achieve it?
• Where is it located?

(M) Measurable

• What data will show your success in meeting the goal?
• How do you quantify your progress?

(A) Achievable

• Is the goal realistically achievable?
• How can you accomplish the goal?
• What skills and resources does the goal require?
• Do you possess those skills and resources?

(R) Relevant

• Is the goal aligned with your values?

• Is it set at the right time?
• Are you the right person to achieve this goal?
• Do you have long-term goals? How does the goal align with your long-term goals?
• What key benefits can the organization derive?

(T) Time-bound

• When will the plan be created and implemented?
• When is the finish time to see the result?
• What can you do one week, one month, three months from now?

Let’s say you want to start writing a SMART goal. What is the first step? Take a look at the guide we provide below.

1. Set the specific goal

Writing a SMART goal requires starting with the order of the alphabets in the acronym. So, first, define the specific goal. If you find it hard, just try to write down the initial goal that comes to your mind. Later, eliminate any ambiguity surrounding the goal.

For instance, if you want to get promoted in your office, what kind of promotion do you expect? Do you mean getting a higher salary grade, a new role, or a higher position? Answer these criteria to narrow it down.

2. Decide on the parameters

Your goal should be measurable. This means that you need to prepare a method that can help you track and quantify progress. By creating parameters, you’ll be able to know whether you’re getting closer to the goal or experiencing a decline.

Ensure to set the parameters in numbers or exact targets that cannot have multiple interpretations. For example, if you want to increase your company sales, measure it by numbers, identify the current sales, and decide how much increase you want to achieve.

3. Review the achievability

Do not set unrealistic goals. Review the goal you set to ensure it is doable yet motivating. If you're unsure whether it's realistic enough, try to identify the resources needed to achieve your goal.

What effort should it take to achieve the goal? What skills does your goal require you to have? Are there any other resources you need to achieve the goal? After identifying these aspects, assess whether you can provide the resources or not. This can surely help you determine if the goal is achievable.

4. Draw the relevance to your broader goal

The goal you set should align with your broader goal. Whether it’s for business or personal reasons, your goal should be appropriate to what you want to accomplish.

By acknowledging the relevance of your goal with other needs and efforts you carry out, you can determine whether it’s worthwhile. Additionally, you might identify the key benefits that the goal will bring, so you can get an outlook to achieve it.

5. Determine the time limit to achieve your goal

A successful goal should be achieved within a certain period of time. Break down your goal into smaller achievable targets to be reached within shorter periods of time.

By doing so, you might create a sense of urgency, which can be beneficial in motivating you to achieve the goal. If you're confused about breaking the goal into smaller manageable tasks, ask yourself about what actions you can take immediately, per week, month, or in a longer period of time.

▶ Also Read: Between a Job for Money vs. Passion, Which One Should You Choose?

In case you need some inspiration to start defining your goals using the SMART method, you may refer to the examples below. Check out both examples for professional and personal goals, and determine which one you want to write.

Example for professional goal

• Goal: Increasing brand awareness

• Specific: Launch a comprehensive brand awareness campaign targeting potential customers aged 18-35 in urban areas, focusing on highlighting our unique product features and benefits.

• Measurable: Increase brand recognition by achieving a 30% increase in website traffic from organic search and referral sources within the next quarter. Additionally, aim for a 20% increase in brand mentions on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

• Achievable: Implement multi-channel marketing strategies including SEO, social media advertising, influencer partnerships, and email marketing campaigns. Allocate marketing budget to each channel and track performance using the company’s subscribed analytics tools.

• Relevance: Enhancing brand awareness can be crucial for attracting new customers, which can benefit the next product release.

• Time-bound: Achieve the set goals within six months, providing enough time to implement strategies, measure results, and make adjustments accordingly.

Example for personal goal

• Goal: Attaining a Healthy Lifestyle
• Specific: Adopt a healthier lifestyle by incorporating regular exercise, mindful eating, and sufficient sleep to enhance overall well-being.
• Measurable: Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and two strength-training sessions per week. Consume a balanced diet with at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, while limiting processed and sugary foods. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.
• Achievable: Leverage community resources like local gyms and fitness classes for structured exercise programs. Utilize mobile apps and online platforms for tracking progress and receiving guidance. Dedicate time to meal planning and stress management techniques to ensure sustainable habits.
• Relevance: Prioritize health to improve personal mental well-being.
• Time-bound: Achieve the exercise and diet targets within the next eight weeks. Evaluate progress weekly and make adjustments as needed. Establish and maintain the sleep routine immediately, aiming to consistently achieve 7-8 hours of sleep each night by the end of the first month.

▶ Also Read: Tips for Managing Personal Brand and Online Reputation for Professionals

Defining your goal using the SMART method can provide you with a clear and strategic framework for setting objectives, especially to clarify expectations. The SMART method is a good solution for ensuring that your efforts are directed towards meaningful outcomes.

While this goal creation can be very tough, kindly maintain patience to navigate all the steps and achieve your dream job. Try Epicareer to get jobs based on your preference!

Popular Jobs in Singapore:

Affiliate Marketing Manager | Ecommerce Manager | Search Marketing Specialist | PR Specialist | Cost Controller | Credit Controller | Risk Analyst | Retail Assistant | Remote Customer Support | HR Generalist | Web Developer | Technical Writer | Game Developer | Network Engineer