How to Write SMART Goals

Have you ever set a goal (or New Year's Resolution) and not be able to tell if you achieved it? By following some easy steps to create goals with SMART criteria, you'll be able to track and know if you've achieved. Each year I make personal and business goals in this manner. At the end of the year (or any other time period you choose), you can check off what you've completed (and know what you need to work on harder). Each letter in the acronym SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) stand for a requirement for each goal.

SPECIFIC:
Each goal needs to be specific. Some people will set a goal to get healthy this year or eat better. These goals are not specific enough to be able to tell if you've attained them. Instead of these consider the following: exercise 3 days per week, lose 5 pounds, eat 5 servings of vegetables per day, or quit smoking completely.

MEASURABLE:
Each goal needs to be measurable. Losing weight or being more active is not a measurable goal. Instead of these you will want to write your goal to lose 5 pounds, or exercise 3 times per week for 1 hour each workout.

ATTAINABLE:
Each goal should be attainable. Do you have the resources to complete the goal? For instance, taking a cruise around the world is not attainable if you don't have the funds to pay for it or the time off work to take the trip.

REALISTIC:
Each goal needs to be realistic. If your goal is too aggressive and not doable you will only get discouraged. This is not productive (which is the whole purpose behind writing down your goals). If you have never run before, running a marathon may not be attainable for you within a year. You may want to choose a shorter race as your goal (for this year) as you work toward your marathon goal (longer term), or set the marathon as a goal for a few years from now.

TIMELY:
Each goal should be timely or have a time frame attached to it. For instance, I will complete this goal by the end of the month of February.