How Setting SMART Goals Can Help You Achieve Success

Goals serve as guiding beacons that help propel us towards success. Whether in your personal or professional life, establishing a clear vision and direction can transform your approach to self-improvement. However, in order to be successful, it may be important to approach goal-setting with a sense of intention and purpose.

That's where SMART goals come into play. In this article, we will introduce the concept of SMART goals, delve into each of its components, provide examples, and discuss how setting SMART goals can facilitate personal growth and success.

What are SMART goals?

SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bbound. Writing SMART goals can help you break your long-term goals into smaller milestones, ensuring you stay aligned with your vision for the future and maintain motivation along the way.

Research has found SMART goals to be an effective tool for improving student learning outcomes, though they are commonly applied in other contexts such as improved physical, mental, and financial health and may be helpful for individuals of any age.

Specific

The first characteristic of a SMART goal is specificity. Rather than setting vague and ambiguous goals, a specific goal clearly defines what you want to achieve, providing a clear target to aim for. To set a specific goal, define exactly what you would like to accomplish and how you will do it. 

For example, instead of setting a goal to "get more exercise," you may instead define what type of exercise you will do, how often you will work out, and for how long. A more specific goal may be, “Improve mental and physical health by taking a 30-minute walk each morning.” Writing specific goals can help you clarify your intentions and provide a clear roadmap for action.

Measurable

To gauge progress and determine success, goals need to be measurable. This involves setting specific criteria to assess your performance. Measurable goals allow you to track your progress, identify areas for improvement, and stay motivated. 

For instance, if your goal is to improve your financial health, you can make it measurable using exact dollar amounts: “I would like to grow my emergency savings account to $20,000 by saving $400 from each paycheck.” It may also be helpful to track your progress using a spreadsheet, habit tracker, or mobile app.

Achievable

Goals should be challenging yet achievable. Setting goals that are too easy can lead to complacency, while setting goals that are too ambitious may result in discouragement and demotivation. An attainable goal takes into account your skills, resources, and current circumstances. 

A student who wants to improve their GPA, for example, may need to take into consideration their current workload, their study habits, and the amount of time left in the semester. Setting a realistic goal, such as raising their GPA by 0.2 points, allows them to push themselves without causing undue academic stress or overwhelm.

Relevant

Relevance refers to ensuring that your goals align with your overall objectives and aspirations. ByIt's crucial to setting goals that are meaningful and relevant to your values, interests, and long-term plans, you can find success in areas that matter to you. Determining the relevancy of your goal involves asking why you are setting your goal in the first place. 

For example, someone setting a reading goal for themselves may write their goal as, “I will read two books each month this year to help improve my attention span and decrease my screen time.” Defining why your goals matter to you can help you maintain motivation and see how your goals contribute to your personal growth and fulfillment.

Time-bound

Time-bound goals help you stay on track, manage time effectively, and prevent procrastination. By having a specific endpoint, you can break your goal down into manageable milestones and allocate your resources accordingly, as well as stay focused and motivated.

For example, a person whose goal is to write a book may set a time-bound goal by committing to completing the first draft within six months. With a clear timeframe to work with, you can plan your writing schedule accordingly and set intermediate deadlines for each chapter or section. A time-bound goal may instill a sense of urgency and accountability.

Examples of SMART goals for success and wellbeing

Improved physical health

SMART goal example: “I will improve my cardiovascular health by jogging three times a week, with the goal of participating in a local 5K race six months from now.”

Why it works: This goal clearly defines a specific action (jogging three times a week) and a desired outcome (improved cardiovascular health). The goalIt is measurable, as it’s possible to track the number of weekly jogs and monitor progress in distance and speed. The goal is also achievable as it sets a realistic and manageable routine of three jogging sessions per week. Lastly, it is time-bound with the specific timeframe of six months, providing a clear deadline—a 5K race—to work towards.

Career development

SMART goal example: “Before the new year, I will secure a $70,000 position in my field by attending one networking event weekly and applying to two positions per week. This will allow me to save for a down payment on a home.” 

Why it works: This goal states a clear objective of securing a higher-paying job along with a specific dollar amount and a deadline. With the realistic objectives of attending networking events and applying to jobs each week, it is possible to measure progress and ensure this goal is achievable. Finally, this goal is relevant to career development and financial goals, as the aim is to increase income and save for the purpose of buyingsaving for a home. 

Academic achievement

SMART goal example: “To secure a college scholarship, I will maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher throughout the academic year, earning a grade of A or B in my courses. To do this, I will study for an hour per day, join a study group, and attend tutoring sessions for difficult courses.”

Why it works: This goal effectively connects a desired outcome (a scholarship) with a clearly-defined, measurable goal (a 3.5 GPA). The goalIt also establishes an achievable path towards the end goal by defining specific steps that can be taken daily and weekly, as well as creating a plan for succeeding in spite of challenging material. Finally, it is time-bound as it applies to the academic year, providing a clear timeframe to work towards the goal.

Financial health

SMART goal example: “To build long-term financial security, I will save 20% of my monthly income for retirement by tracking and maintaining a monthly savings rate of 20%, creating a budget, reducing unnecessary expenses, and aiming to save $10,000 in a dedicated retirement account within two years.”

Why it works: This goal states a specific, measurable objective of saving 20% of monthly income. It defines a relevant end goal of building financial security and retiring comfortably. The goalIt is achievable through budgeting and expense reduction, and time-bound with a goal of saving $10,000 within two years.

Mental health

SMART goal example: “To help manage my anxiety, I will attend weekly online cognitive behavioral therapy for six months with the goal of reducing anxiety symptoms by 50% and improving my sleep habits to average at least 8 hours of sleep per night.”

Why it works: This goal works because it establishes a relevant reasongoal—anxiety reduction and improved sleep—and iswith an achievable and, time-bound goal—six months of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). With clear numbers of 50% fewer symptoms and 8 hours of sleep, it is possible to track progress and evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy.

Therapy for success and personal growth

SMART goals can be an effective tool for achieving success in your personal and professional life. It may also be helpful to enlist the help of a therapist to help you gain insights, develop strategies, and overcome obstacles in your personal growth journey. 

Three-quarters of those who attend therapy see some kind of benefit, and therapyit can be particularly valuable for exploring your goals, improving thought and behavior patterns, and addressing any underlying mental health issues that may be interfering with personal growth.

Online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may be particularly useful for those who are looking for a convenient way to consistently attend therapy, and offers additional support at no extra cost with services such as in-platform journaling, weekly group sessions, and asynchronous messaging with your therapist. Online therapy has been found to be just as effective as in-person therapy, and tends to be more affordable.

Takeaway

Setting SMART goals can significantly contribute to your success across a number of domains, including mental and physical well being, career and academic achievement, and financial health. By making your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound, you can establish a clear roadmap for progress and accomplishment. Remember to regularly evaluate and adjust your goals as needed, and consider seeking support from a therapist to enhance your personal growth journey. Online therapy can be a valuable source of guidance and accountability, and may be helpful for maintaining progress towards your goals. To get started, connect with a therapist on BetterHelp.