What is a SMART goal?
(It’s not just a goal that’s smart!) SMART is an acronym that stands for:
- S- Specific
- M- Measurable
- A- Attainable
- R- Relevant
- T- Timely
Using the SMART method helps you set achievable, healthy goals. Like we talked about in our last discussion on goal setting, healthy goals are made up of actionable steps, a built-in way to help you achieve what you’re aiming for. The pillars of SMART goal setting helps us structure our goals in a way that evaluate the relevance of them in our lives & give us concrete steps to achieve them!
Using the SMART acronym can help take your goals from wishes to achievable action.
How do you usually set goals? What does your goal setting process look like?
Many of us don’t actually have a goal-setting process. Maybe we’ll set a goal or a resolution when the New Year rings in, but how many of us have a structure for setting goals in our day to day life?
Productive goal setting takes more than just naming an objective out loud or wishing to achieve something new.
Like we said above, SMART is an acronym which stands for: specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, and timely.
But what do these things mean when it comes to goal setting? Let’s break it down a little.
- Specific: This is where you need to get into the nitty gritty of your goals. What *exactly* is it that you want to achieve? When do you want to achieve it by? Why do you want to achieve this goal?
- Measurable: what will be different when this goal is achieved? Define the concrete evidence you will have that will show you’ve achieved your goal. And define the different steps of achievement along the path of your goal setting–you might accomplish it in chunks! Write out the different markers of achievement for this specific goal.
- Attainable: setting unattainable goals does nothing to help you. At this step, take time to consider all different factors that might affect your ability to achieve your goal. Your free time, your job, your health, your financial status. If it’s not attainable now that doesn’t mean it never will be! Use this step to reevaluate what you will need in order to achieve this goal.
- Relevant: This is the big “why” of setting goals. Why do you want to achieve this? Why is it relevant to your life? Why will it better you? If it’s not relevant to your interests, your life or your future plans, then maybe it’s not where you should be putting your energy.
- Timely: This is the breakdown of your goal! What’s your time frame? How will you achieve it within the time frame you set yourself? How can you break your goal down into smaller steps and make a calendar to keep yourself on track?
“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” -Pablo Picasso
Alyssa Mairanz, LMHC, DBTC
Alyssa Mairanz provides counseling and therapy services for life transitions, relationship issues, self esteem, depression, anxiety, and DBT and Psychodynamic therapy in a NYC group practice in the Flatiron District near Madison Square Park. She also serves the Village, Chelsea, Union Square, the Financial District and the surrounding areas.
Empower Your Mind Therapy’s mission is to helps our clients build the life they want and find more happiness and satisfaction.
