- Goals are specific. Remember, “hazy goals get hazy results.”
- Effective goals are broken down into measurable steps such as:
- "Each day I will identify three positive things about my work” or
- “I will conduct two informational interviews every month.”
- Goals are aligned with your values.
- Goals are realistic and reasonably attainable.
- Goals are designed within a realistic time frame with specific deadlines.
- Goals are flexible; they can be altered as change or new awareness occurs and as new information is received.
- A written goal has a greater chance of being accomplished; when a goal is written down it seems real.
- Evaluate whether you achieve your goals. If you set goals that are measurable then you have criteria with which to evaluate them.
- Plan for both short-term and long-term goals.
- Celebrate achieving your goals!
Goal Setting Instructions
When it comes to setting goals, use the acronym S.M.A.R.T.
Specific:
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Should address the five W’s: who, what, when, where and why.
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Easy to understand.
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Specifies desired future results.
Measurable:
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Describes how each goal will be measured (numeric or descriptive).
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Answers the questions:
- How will I know when the result has been achieved?
- How will I verify the achievement/performance of this goal?
- To what level do we need to achieve this result?
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Focus on elements such as observable actions, quantity, quality, cycle time, efficiency and/or flexibility to measure outcomes.
Action-oriented:
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Identifies actions to be taken or results to be achieved that will contribute to the achievement of a larger objective within a specified period of time.
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Uses concrete action verbs, such as create, design, develop, implement, produce, etc.
Realistic:
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The individual has the capabilities (skills, knowledge), tools or resources to accomplish this goal.
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The goal is appropriate in scope.
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The goal is realistic even with other commitments.
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The goal is within the individual’s power and influence.
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The goal may be a stretch, but still feasible one step at a time.
Time-framed:
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There is a specific time frame to achieve this goal (beginning and end dates).
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May include interim steps and a plan to monitor progress.
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May establish a time frame for short and long-term goals.