How many of us set new years resolutions around December 31st only to forget them by January 3rd? Last month I journaled about performance reviews and measuring your work for the past year. The only way to do this is to set some goals for yourself, but make sure you and your team do so in a way that they won’t be treated like new years resolutions…because missed goals at review time affect your ratings and comp.
Here is something I share with my team every year…
How to write SMART goals of your own
Writing SMART goals will ensure a higher degree of success at achieving your goals, then non-SMART goals. SMART goals meet the following criteria:
- Specific – clear unambiguous language
- Measurable – ability to measure progress and achievement
- Attainable – within the control of the individual or the team
- Realistic – take into account the individual’s present skills and capacity
- Time-bound – within a defined period of time
As you write your goals ensure that they are SMART and easily defined by what it is, why it is important, how the goal is going to be accomplished, and when they will be accomplished by. Having these components clearly identified will assist in the recognition of progress and measurement toward the successful completion of the goal.
For example, a good – but not SMART – goal would be: To lose weight
A SMART version of this goal looks like this: To lose 20 pounds by November 1st, I will eat healthier and exercise every day in order to fit into my old 36-inch waist jeans.
This SMART goal above is constructed using the following sample model for the structure of a SMART goal. It’s color-coded to help illustrate the structure.
To (the action you will take). by (Date/timeframe), I will (do what?) by (a measure you can track) in order to (your real goal).
To lose 20 pounds by November 1st, I will eat healthier and exercise every day in order to fit into my old 36-inch waist jeans.
Good luck!
Andy Brenits has had the privilege of managing creative services start-up operations for four organizations in his 20 year career. The In-House Business Startup Journal is an amalgamation of his experiences leading creative services businesses and the trials and tribulations of getting things up and running to a sustainable state. Names have been changed to protect the innocent or those who should have known better.
