Set Yourself Up For Success with SMART Goals

It’s that time again—with the opening of the new year, we’re all looking to start new resolutions and set goals that we’ll hopefully make good on this time. And while new year’s resolutions may have a bad rap, there are methods for creating attainable goals that won’t end in disappointment. That’s right, today we’re talking about SMART goals.

In use since the 80s, the SMART framework is a pragmatic method of creating tangible, actionable goals that work within your resources and skillset. Using this framework, you can build a roadmap to effectively manage time and resources; improve motivation, communication, and accountability; and foster creativity and innovation—all while hitting your targets sooner. We’ve put together this explainer to go over what SMART goals are, how to set them and track progress, as well as the common mistakes people make and how to avoid them.

What are SMART goals?

Every business, small and large, relies on goal-setting to outline important objectives, provide direction, and focus resources. But for the best results, you need a framework that’ll make sure you aren’t setting wildly unrealistic goals—that’s where SMART goals come in. SMART goals are a popular method of setting clear and actionable targets.

The acronym, SMART, stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This framework ensures that the goals you set are concrete and attainable within a specific timeframe, which makes it easier to track progress and measure results.

SMART goals vs traditional goal setting

Traditionally, goal setting focused on establishing broad, generalized objectives. The result is goals that lack clarity, set unrealistic expectations, and are hard if not impossible to effectively measure progress.

SMART goals, on the other hand, offer a more effective approach to achieving your targets. By creating a roadmap to successful outcomes, this framework focuses on actionable, concrete steps to accomplish goals, and facilitates meaningful tracking and analysis of your progress.

Breaking down the SMART goal framework

Below, we’ve broken down what each of the components of the SMART framework actually mean.

Specific

Goals need to be well-defined and explicit to provide clear direction. When goals are specific, it eliminates ambiguity and sets the stage for precise action. This clarity helps individuals focus their efforts and fosters a sense of purpose as they understand exactly what is expected of them. By being specific, one can answer the questions: What is to be achieved? Who is involved? Where is it going to happen?

Measurable

A measurable goal allows for tracking progress and outcomes. It helps in quantifying the advances made towards achieving the goal, which can be motivating and can help to stay on track. By making a goal measurable, one can answer the question: How will I know that the goal has been accomplished?

Achievable

Setting a goal that is attainable ensures that it is realistic and within the realm of possibility given the available resources and constraints. An achievable goal strikes the balance between challenging and practical, pushing individuals to excel without placing them in a position for certain failure. By setting achievable goals, one can answer the question: Is the goal realistic and can it be accomplished?

Relevant

A relevant goal is aligned with broader objectives and reflects the strategic direction that an organization or individual is striving towards. It is important to ensure that the goal matters and that its achievement will drive the right outcomes. By ensuring relevance, one can answer the question: Does this goal align with my other efforts/needs and contribute to my overarching objectives?

Time-bound

Goals should come with a deadline to provide a sense of urgency and prompt action. Time-bound goals help prevent everyday tasks from taking priority over longer-term objectives. By specifying when the goal should be achieved, one can answer the question: When does the goal need to be accomplished?

How to set SMART goals

Creating your own SMART goals requires a structured approach that incorporates the five key components of the SMART framework. The following steps will help you work through creating your own goals:

Identify the general idea of what you want to accomplish. (I.e. “I want to increase sales”.)
Narrow down to a specific goal by answering the 5W’s:
1. Who is involved?
2. What do you want to accomplish?
3. When do you want to achieve this?
4. Where will this take place?
5. Why is this goal important?
Determine how you will measure your progress and success. Identify specific metrics and milestones.
Access whether your goal is attainable given your resources and time available. Ask if you have everything you need to reach this goal.
Ensure that your goal aligns with broader business objectives and is worth the time and resources required to accomplish it.
Set a clear deadline for when you expect to achieve your goal, as well as a timeline for the steps you will take to do so.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you should have a clear roadmap outlined that you can share with stakeholders and team members to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

How to track progress on SMART goals

The key to realizing any goal or objective is to track your progress effectively. How you do that will vary depending on the type and scope of the goals you’ve laid out for you and your team. That said, here are some general tips for tracking and measuring progress:

Choose the Right Metrics: Identify specific metrics that align with each component of your SMART goals to gauge progress accurately. Metrics can be quantitative (e.g., sales figures, completion rates) or qualitative (e.g., feedback, satisfaction levels).
Use a Tracking System: Implement a tracking system that suits your needs. This could be a spreadsheet, project management software (like Smartsheet or ClickUp), a CRM (like HubSpot) or specialized goal-tracking apps. The system should allow you to monitor metrics and visualize progress over time.
Set Regular Check-Ins: Schedule consistent intervals for reviewing your progress, such as weekly or monthly check-ins. This helps you stay attuned to your trajectory and allows for timely adjustments if necessary.
Review and Adjust: Analyze the data collected during check-ins to evaluate your progress against your goals. If you encounter obstacles or if circumstances change, adjust your strategies and actions accordingly.
Celebrate Milestones: Recognize and celebrate achievements along the way, no matter how small. This boosts motivation and reinforces positive behaviors.
Reflect on Learnings: After reaching milestones or completing goals, take time to reflect on what worked well and what didn’t. This reflection can inform future goal-setting and tracking processes.
Communicate Progress: If you are part of a team, ensure that everyone is aware of their contributions towards the overall objectives. Regular updates can enhance accountability and motivation among team members.

The most important part of tracking SMART goals is to maintain regular communication with everyone involved.

Common mistakes when setting SMART goals & how to avoid them

Even with the best intentions and diligence, you might not achieve your outlined goals. While that can be frustrating, the likely cause isn’t lack of effort, instead you might be making some of the following common mistakes. Let’s go over what they are and how to avoid them.

❌ Avoid vague goals that are too broad or unclear and lack direction and measurability.

✅ Instead, be specific in defining your goals. Turn goals like “increase sales” into something like “increase sales by 15% in Q3”.

❌ Avoid overly specific goals that can lead you to neglect other aspects of performance.

✅ Instead, keep your goals flexibility to allow for adaptability and allow for holistic thinking.

❌ Avoid undervaluing learning goals and overvaluing performance goals, which can hinder overall business growth and development.

✅Instead, incorporate learning or process goals to promote skill acquisition.

❌ Avoid overly ambitious goals that are overwhelming and can lead to frustration and demotivation when targets are not met.

✅ Instead, break down large goals into manageable objectives and make sure they’re achievable within given resources and timeframe.

❌ Avoid creating a lack of accountability that can cause goals to slip through the crack.

✅ Instead, implement regular check-ins, visual progress displays, or other accountability measures.

❌ Avoid failing to consider project scope, stakeholder involvement, or resource restraints that can lead to misalignment on objectives.

✅ Instead, involve key stakeholders, assess available resources, and consider project dependencies when setting goals.

❌ Avoid failing to track or measure progress effectively, which can prevent achieving your goals successfully.

✅ Instead, choose appropriate metrics and implement a tracking system to monitor progress regularly.

❌ Avoid setting too many goals, which can lead to losing focus on your priorities.

✅ Instead, limit yourself to a few key goals that are meaningful and realistic.

❌ Avoid failing to reassess goals, which can result in missing opportunities and irrelevance.

✅ Instead, schedule regular check-ins to review progress, celebrate achievements, and adjust goals as needed.

What’s the takeaway?

SMART goals provide a clear, actionable framework for turning aspirations into achievable outcomes. Unlike traditional goal-setting, SMART goals offer specificity, measurability, and a strategic path to success. By focusing on clear objectives, aligning them with broader business goals, and consistently tracking progress, you can create meaningful results that support growth and innovation.

Whether you’re working on personal milestones or team initiatives, the SMART framework ensures you stay on track and adaptable to change. Ready to set yourself up for success? Start setting SMART goals today!

Set Yourself Up For Success with SMART Goals

What are SMART goals?

SMART goals vs traditional goal setting

Breaking down the SMART goal framework

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Relevant

Time-bound

How to set SMART goals

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