The Benefits of Creating SMART Goals and How to Start

Goal setting is easier when your goals are SMART.

A Guide to Setting SMART Goals: Tangible Steps for Success

Setting goals is a crucial part of personal and professional growth.

Sometimes, it’s not quite enough to simply have goals. To truly set yourself up for success, your goals need structure, which is where the system of SMART goals come in.

SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, and these criteria can help make your goals clear and attainable. Let’s explore what SMART goals are and how you can build them with tangible steps to stay on track.

What Are SMART Goals?

It can be helpful to sit down and write out what your goals are and how to make them SMART.

1. Specific: The goal should be clear and specific. Vague goals can lead to confusion and lack of focus. Instead of saying, "I want to reduce my anxiety," make it specific like, "I want to reduce anxiety through exercise and meditation."

2. Measurable: You need to have a way to measure progress so you can track your success. This helps keep you motivated and aware of how close you are to achieving your goal. For example, “I want to meditate 3 days a week,” is measurable.

3. Achievable: While it’s important to set challenging goals, it’s equally important to make sure they are realistic. Setting unattainable goals can lead to discouragement. Make sure your goal can be accomplished with the resources and time you have available.

4. Relevant: Your goal should matter to you and align with your broader life objectives. If it’s not relevant, you might struggle to stay motivated. For instance, if your ultimate aim is to advance in your career, your goals should directly contribute to that vision.

5. Time-bound: Every goal needs a deadline. Without a target date, there’s no urgency, and it’s easy to put off progress. For example, setting a deadline like "I want to complete my certification within six months" gives a clear timeline for action.

Steps to Building SMART Goals

Creating a better system around achieving goals can help you accomplish more.

1. Write Down Your Goal: Putting your goal on paper solidifies it in your mind and provides a clear starting point. Writing down the goal using the SMART framework helps you focus on its structure.

2. Break It Down: Take the larger goal and break it into smaller, more manageable tasks. This makes it easier to track your progress and keeps you from feeling overwhelmed. For example, if your goal is to complete a course, break it down into specific study times and milestones along the way.

3. Set Milestones: Identify key points along the way that mark your progress. This could be weekly check-ins or monthly benchmarks. By breaking your timeline into smaller milestones, you can celebrate your wins and stay motivated.

4. Create an Action Plan: List the steps you need to take to reach your goal. Your action plan should include specific actions, like "research certification programs" or "schedule study sessions." This ensures you're not just thinking about your goal but actively working toward it.

5. Track Your Progress: Regularly assess how far you’ve come toward your goal. Using a journal, an app, or a calendar can help you track your progress. Reflecting on what’s working and adjusting when necessary is crucial for staying on course.

Goal Setting with a Mental Health Professional

While setting SMART goals can be incredibly effective, many people benefit from working with a mental health professional to help define and refine their ambition.

A therapist in Orange County can offer support, guidance, and accountability, helping you overcome barriers like anxiety, procrastination, or low self-esteem that may impede your progress. By working with a mental health professional, you can align your personal and emotional well-being with your goals, ensuring a more holistic approach to achieving success.