SMART Goals Guidelines and Examples

Guidelines
Examples

Guidelines:

Specific
The SMART goal should be very specific in
● What is the desired result? (who,
terms of what you want to achieve. It should
what, when, why, how)
state the objective very clearly.
● How are you going to do it?

Measurable
The SMART goal should be measurable such
● How much progress do you need to
that you can clearly define if you have
make? (quantify it)?
achieved it or not.
● How can you measure progress?

Attainable/Achievable
The SMART goal should be challenging, but
● What skills and resources are
not impossible given your resources and
needed?
situation. You should have the
● Can it be broken down into individual
resources/skills you need mentioned or write
tasks?
where to get them from.
● Is the goal within your reach?

The SMART goal should be in line with your

Relatable
larger long-term goal. It should be something
● Does the goal fit in the overall long-
that helps you achieve that long-term goal. It
term goal that you have for yourself
should also be realistic, not something
● Is it realistic?
impossible.

The SMART Goals should include the time

Time-bound
within which you intend to achieve it. You
● What is the deadline?
should mention the deadline for achieving the
● Is the deadline realistic?
goal.
Step by step Example to make a goal SMART
Specific
● What is the desired result?
(who, what, when, why, how)
● How are you going to do it?
Measurable
● How much progress do you
need to make? (quantify it)?
● How can you measure
progress?
Attainable/Achievable
● What skills and resources
are needed?
● Can it be broken down into
achievable tasks?
● Is the goal within your
reach?
Relatable/Realistic
● Is the goal do-able?
● Moreover is not easy or
ridiculous
Time-bound
● What is the deadline?
● Is the deadline realistic?
I will improve my communication skills. - not specific
Make specific by writing what exactly needs to be
improved:
I will improve the quality of my written english in my
reflection blogs
I will improve the quality of my written english in my
reflection blogs. - not measurable
Make measurable by quantifying progress:
I will improve the quality of my written English in my
reflection blogs by getting a full 10 marks on at least
2 of them
I will get a full 10 marks on at least 2 of my reflective
blogs. - doesn’t explain how it will be achieved
State individual tasks that need to be completed to
achieve goal:
I will write down 500 words each day in English
(reflecting on what I did well during the day and
what I could have done better) to improve the
quality of my written English in my reflection blogs
by getting a full 10 marks on at least 2 of them
I will write down 500 words each day in English
(reflecting on what I did well during the day and
what I could have done better) to improve the
quality of my written English in my reflection blogs
by getting a full 10 marks on at least 2 of them. -
The goal is doable, and easy and can be achieved
I will write down 500 words each day in English
(reflecting on what I did well during the day and
what I could have done better) to improve the
quality of my written English in my reflection blogs
by getting a full 10 marks on at least 2 of them. -
there is no deadline
Add timeline which is realistic so the goal can be
 achieved by the time:
I will write down 500 words each day in English
(reflecting on what I did well during the day and
what I could have done better) to improve the
quality of my written English in my reflection blogs
by getting a full 10 marks on at least 2 of them by
the end of the fellowship.

ORIGINAL GOAL VS FINALIZED VERSION AFTER MAKING SMART:

I will improve my communication skills

VS

I will write down 500 words each day in English (reflecting on what I did well during the day
and what I could have done better) to improve the quality of my written English in my
reflection blogs by getting a full 10 marks on at least 2 of them by the end of the fellowship.