Define Smart Goals

Originally, I wrote my goals to be an overall, broad objective I hoped to achieve without specific timeframes in mind of when I wanted to accomplish these goals. For example, the first goal I identified for myself was to “Obtain my MBA degree.” I did not specify my time for completion. When refining my goal, I set a specific objective to complete my MBA within two years. Second, I did not create my goals easily measurable or achievable. Highlighted in my second original goal, I stated I wanted to make one hundred percent of my due dates at work. In it’s unrefined form, I created an unachievable goal. How would I identify when I completed my expectations? To refine my goal into a SMART goal, I added a timeframe and an action plan on how I would

meet my agreed to dates. Surprisingly, refining my goals to be specific, measureable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound relaxed my mind and relieved stress.
The implications for managing your own success are vast. Writing SMART goals defines parameters for achieving goals, and as I mentioned just above, these parameters relieved stress surrounding my goals. These parameters set help to manage time, set miniature objectives to achieve the goal, and helped define vague statements that are easy to blow off. In addition, the SMART format generates trackable goals – for example, within my first goal, it’s easy to identify if I am on track to meet my goal. Did I take two classes that semester to help obtain my goal? If yes, I know I am on track to hit my goal of obtaining my MBA. The SMART goal refinement also helped me to not setting myself up for failure by setting goals that are out of reach or unrealistic. Time also creates a sense of urgency to your goals.