4.5 Goal Setting
Questions to consider:
- How do I set motivational goals?
- What are SMART goals?
- What is the importance of an action plan?
- How do I keep to my plan?
Set Goals That Motivate You
The first thing to know about goal setting is that a goal is a specific result you desire. If the goal is not something you are really interested in, there is little motivational drive to achieve it. Think back to when you were much younger, and some well-meaning adults set a goal for you—something that did not really appeal to you at all. How motivated were you to achieve the goal? More than likely, if you were successful at all in meeting the goal, it was because you were motivated by earning the approval of someone or receiving a reward, or you were concerned with avoiding something adverse that might happen if you did not do what you were told. From an honest perspective in that situation, your real goal was based on something else, not the meeting of the goal set for you. To get the most from the goals you set, make sure they are things that you are interested in achieving. That is not to say you should not set goals that are supported by other motivations (e.g., If I finish studying by Friday, I can go out on Saturday), but the idea is to be intellectually honest with your goals.
Set SMART Goals
Goals should also be SMART. In this case, the word smart is not only a clever description of the type of goal, but it is also an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. The reason these are all desirable traits for your goals is because they not only help you plan how to meet the goal, but they can also contribute to your decision-making processes during the planning stage.
What does it mean to create SMART goals?
Specific
For a goal to be specific, it must be defined enough to determine the goal. The goal of getting a respectable job when I graduate is too general. It does not define what a respectable job is. In fact, it does not even necessarily include a job in your chosen profession. A more specific goal would be something like being hired as a nurse in a place of employment where it is enjoyable to work and that has room for promotion.
Measurable
The concept of measurable is one that is often overlooked when setting goals. What this means is that the goal should have clearly defined outcomes that are detailed enough to measure and can be used for planning how you will achieve the goal. For example, setting a goal of doing well in school is a bit undefined, but making a goal of graduating with a GPA (Grade Point Average) above 3.0 is measurable and something you can work with. If your goal is measurable, you can know ahead of time how many points you will have to earn on a specific assignment to stay in that range or how many points you will need to make up in the next assignment if you do not do as well as you planned.
Attainable
Attainable or achievable goals means they are reasonable and within your ability to accomplish. While a goal of making an extra one million dollars by the end of the week is something that would be nice to achieve, the odds that you could make that happen in a single week are not very realistic.
Relevant
For goal setting, relevant means it applies to the situation. In relation to college, the goal of getting a horse to ride is not relevant, but getting dependable transportation is something that would contribute to your success in school.
Time-bound
Time-bound means you set a specific time limit to achieve the goal. I will get my paper written by Wednesday is time-bound. You know when you must meet the goal. I will get my paper written sometime soon does not help you plan how and when you will accomplish the goal.
Another useful approach to goal setting is to create SMART goals and then write them down. For most people there is a higher level of commitment when we write something down. If you have your goals written out, you can refer to each component of the SMART acronym and make certain you are on track to achieve it.
In the following table you can see some examples of goals that do and do not follow the SMART system. As you read each one, think about what elements make them SMART or how you might change those that are not.
Writing SMART Goals
| Goal | Is it SMART? | |
|---|---|---|
| I am going to be rich someday. | No | Nothing specific, measurable, or time-bound in this goal. |
| I will graduate with my AA degree within 2 years. | Yes | The statement calls out specific, measurable, and time-bound details. The other attributes of attainable and relevant are implied. |
| I am going to save $________ to buy a newer car by June. | Yes | All SMART attributes are covered in this goal. |
| I would like to do well in all my courses next semester. | No | While this is clearly time-bound and meets most of the SMART goal attributes, it is not specific or measurable without defining what “do well” means. |
| I am going to start being a nicer person. | No | While most SMART attributes are implied, there is nothing measurable in this goal. |
| I will earn at least a 3.0 GPA in all my courses next semester. | Yes | All the SMART attributes are in this goal. |
| I am going to start being more organized. | No | While most SMART attributes are implied, there is nothing measurable in this goal. |
Activity 4.4
Try writing two SMART goals—something with a one-week time limit and something that you will accomplish over the next year. Make certain that you include all the appropriate elements—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. List three actions you can take to help reach each of the goals.
Make an Action Plan
Like anything else, making a step-by-step action plan of how you will attain your goals is the best way to make certain you achieve them. It does not matter if it is a smaller goal with immediate results (e.g., finishing all your homework due by Friday) or something bigger that takes several years to accomplish (graduating with my degree in the proper amount of time). The planning techniques you use for time management and achieving goals can be similar. In fact, accurate goal setting is very much a part of time management if you treat the completion of each task as a goal. What follows is an example of a simple action plan that lists the steps for writing a short paper. An action plan breaks down the tasks and spreads them over time. You can use something like this or modify it in a way that would better suit your own preferences.
Action Plan to Write A Paper
| Task | Objective | When |
|---|---|---|
| Choose topic. | Select something interesting. | It needs to be done by next Monday! |
| Write an outline, look for references. | Create the structure of paper and outline each part. | Monday, 6:00 p.m. |
| Research references to support outline, look for good quotes. | Strengthen paper and resources. | Tuesday, 6:00 p.m. |
| Draft paper introduction and first page draft. | Get main ideas and thesis statement down. | Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. |
| Write the second page and closing draft. | Finish main content and tie it all together. | Thursday, 6:00 p.m. |
| Rewrite and polish final draft. | Clean-up for grammar, writing style, and effective communication. | Friday, 5:00 p.m. (free weekend) |
Another useful approach to goal setting is to create SMART goals and then write them down. For most people there is a higher level of commitment when we write something down. If you have your goals written out, you can refer to each component of the SMART acronym and make certain you are on track to achieve it.
Stick with It!
As with anything else, the key to reaching goals is to keep at it, keep yourself motivated, and overcome any obstacles along the way. In the following graphic you will find seven methods that successful people use to accomplish this.
| 1 |
Increase Personal Responsibility
Adopt the mindset that you are the only person responsible for your goals. Hindrances and roadblocks may appear along the way, but you are responsible for navigating around them and overcoming them. Take control of the journey! Issues are not other people’s problems. They are for you to solve. |
| 2 | Reward Yourself for Completing the Task
We are all motivated by rewards. Use this to your advantage and give yourself rewards for a job well done. |
| 3 | Make Certain They are Your Goals
Again, your motivation level is not as high if the end result is not something you want to achieve. |
| 4 | Visualize the Results
Keeping in mind the benefits and visualizing the end results of each goal is extremely effective in keeping motivated. |
| 5 | Break the Goal Down into Manageable Tasks
As with any task, accomplishing the whole is easier when each part is tackled individually. |
| 6 | Tap into Other People’s Energy
Surround yourself with other people that are motivated. As humans, we are social creatures, which means our moods and emotions can be influenced by others. If you are around other positive people that all work toward achieving their own goals, their energy can become infectious. |
| 7 | Remind Yourself Why You Set the Goal
This last item is of the utmost importance, especially for long term goals. Sometimes it is too easy to become mired in the drudgery of a difficult task and forget why you are doing something in the first place. Reminding yourself of the end goal helps reinforce everything you do that works toward your goal. |
Quick Quiz 4.5
- Describe the components of a SMART goal.
- What are ways to help yourself stick to your goals?