S.M.A.R.T.

Goals
• Writing specific goals helps to maintain focus on the task at hand. State exactly what you want to accomplish. The goal should
be clear and identify a specific action or event that will take place (Who, What, Where, Why). When goals are written in such
a specific way, a plan can be created to allow for success.
Specific

• How will you demonstrate and evaluate the extent to which the goal has been met? You should be able to track your goal,
and it should be quantifiable in that it has parameters in order to know if your goal was achieved.
• Goal: I want to make good grades.
• SMART effective goal: I will score at least a 95% on my Chapter 1 Test that is due October 3rd by studying 30 minutes a
M easureable
night five days before the test date.

• Establish goals that will have a realistic chance at achievement. Setting unrealistic goals is the precursor to frustration over
never being able to meet any of the goals set forth. If goals are consistently not achieved, it is unlikely that the process of
Achievable/ setting them will continue. Also, what actions must you take to achieve this goal?

Action

• Goals should be relevant to the direction you want your life and career to take. By keeping goals aligned and consistent with
this, you'll develop the focus you need to get ahead and do what you want. Set widely scattered and inconsistent goals, and
you'll fritter your time away.
Relevant

• Your goals must have a deadline--and end point. Again, this means that you know when you can celebrate success. When you
are working on a deadline, your sense of urgency increases and achievement will come that much quicker. Short-term goals
should be achieved within a year, intermediate goals should be achieved within two-five years, and long-term goals are more
than five years away. Note that your short-term goals should help you achieve your intermediate goals which will help you
Time-Bound achieve your long-term goals.
 S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Here are some tips that can help you set effective goals:

1. Develop several goals. A list of five to seven items gives you several things to work on over a period of
time.
2. State goals as declarations of intention, not items on a wish list. “I want to get a 95% on my test,” lacks
power. “I will score at least a 95% on my test,” is intentional and powerful.
3. Attach a date to each goal. State what you intend to accomplish and by when. A good list should
include some short-term, intermediate, and long-term goals.
4. Share your goals with someone who cares if you reach them. Sharing your intentions with your
parents, your best friend, or your teacher will help insure success.
5. Write down your goals and put them where you will see them. The more often you read your list, the
more results you get.
6. Review and revise your list. Experiment with different ways of stating your goals. Goal setting improves
with practice.