Hi CiteHR friends,
SMART - GOAL SETTING::::::::::::::::::
One of the essential strengths of successful leadership, professional as well as personal, is the ability to set and achieve goals effectively.
Many leaders know they need to have goals to reach their maximum potential however, as they are often not sure how to start the process and stay on track......they never start!
Goal setting is both art and science in equal parts. And a great way to create good goals that work & keep you on track is called 'SMART Goal Setting'. The acronym SMART will help you to remember the things that each goal needs to be:
S. M. A. R. T.
1. Specific: Your goal needs to be stated in a way that is
clearly defined. That means that saying - "I should work more
……." is too vague …and not necessarily likely to be kept.
However, saying, I am going to work a total of 8 hours
each day, is a goal that is much clearer and specific.
2. Measurable: This is closely related to the above attribute
except that it also includes a way to make sure you are on track.
A goal that says - "I want to make more money" is not measurable.
However, a goal that says, I want to earn RS 60000/month, is
a far more measurable goal. It is easy to see at the end of
the month whether you have achieved it or not.
3. Actionable:
This means that your goal should be something
that you need to do yourself in order to accomplish it. If you
want to increase your income this year….. it is not realistic to
say "I am going to increase my income by winning the lottery
this year" because you have no control over whether you will
win the lottery or not! However if you say, " I am going to increase my sales efforts by stringent adherence to making at least sales calls with 10 people each day", it is very much something you can take action on yourself.
4. Realistic:
Goals that are actually achievable are much better
and far more motivating. You will feel better about yourself
when you do hit the goals....than if constantly shoot for them
and fall short. Realistic goals should not be so easy that you
hit them every single time but at the same time should not be
so hard that you never reach them at all!
5. Time-oriented:
Similar to the measurable attribute, your goal should have a time frame for you to accomplish it in. If you anchor your goal to a timescale….you will be able to monitor your progress. Deadlines help people achieve their goals.
So whenever setting goals, remembering the acronym, SMART.... & following its principles will help us to create achievable & measurable goals for ourselves.
Remember also that although this is a popular goal - setting acronym
in business, the words may also be changed slightly to reflect the needs of the business, as appropriate.
Thanks
Bala
From India, Madras
SMART - GOAL SETTING::::::::::::::::::
One of the essential strengths of successful leadership, professional as well as personal, is the ability to set and achieve goals effectively.
Many leaders know they need to have goals to reach their maximum potential however, as they are often not sure how to start the process and stay on track......they never start!
Goal setting is both art and science in equal parts. And a great way to create good goals that work & keep you on track is called 'SMART Goal Setting'. The acronym SMART will help you to remember the things that each goal needs to be:
S. M. A. R. T.
1. Specific: Your goal needs to be stated in a way that is
clearly defined. That means that saying - "I should work more
……." is too vague …and not necessarily likely to be kept.
However, saying, I am going to work a total of 8 hours
each day, is a goal that is much clearer and specific.
2. Measurable: This is closely related to the above attribute
except that it also includes a way to make sure you are on track.
A goal that says - "I want to make more money" is not measurable.
However, a goal that says, I want to earn RS 60000/month, is
a far more measurable goal. It is easy to see at the end of
the month whether you have achieved it or not.
3. Actionable:
This means that your goal should be something
that you need to do yourself in order to accomplish it. If you
want to increase your income this year….. it is not realistic to
say "I am going to increase my income by winning the lottery
this year" because you have no control over whether you will
win the lottery or not! However if you say, " I am going to increase my sales efforts by stringent adherence to making at least sales calls with 10 people each day", it is very much something you can take action on yourself.
4. Realistic:
Goals that are actually achievable are much better
and far more motivating. You will feel better about yourself
when you do hit the goals....than if constantly shoot for them
and fall short. Realistic goals should not be so easy that you
hit them every single time but at the same time should not be
so hard that you never reach them at all!
5. Time-oriented:
Similar to the measurable attribute, your goal should have a time frame for you to accomplish it in. If you anchor your goal to a timescale….you will be able to monitor your progress. Deadlines help people achieve their goals.
So whenever setting goals, remembering the acronym, SMART.... & following its principles will help us to create achievable & measurable goals for ourselves.
Remember also that although this is a popular goal - setting acronym
in business, the words may also be changed slightly to reflect the needs of the business, as appropriate.
Thanks
Bala
From India, Madras
Dear Mr.Bala,
Ur article was very useful. I am a Trainer for an academy. The trainees here are students who have just finished their 12th and very difficult to make them understand the point of having a goal in life. I hope this will really be useful for me. If u could help me with some exercises for communication skills ?
Regards
Muskaan
From India, Madras
Ur article was very useful. I am a Trainer for an academy. The trainees here are students who have just finished their 12th and very difficult to make them understand the point of having a goal in life. I hope this will really be useful for me. If u could help me with some exercises for communication skills ?
Regards
Muskaan
From India, Madras
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