Set Smarter Goals: Go Beyond SMART for Real Progress
Estimated reading time: 18 Min
Forget vague goals. Use the SMARTER method to stay focused, finish what matters, and build long-term momentum in your business and mindset.
If you want to achieve something (and who doesn’t), setting a clear direction and then prioritising and scheduling tasks provides you with a roadmap, guiding your efforts and resources in the direction of your achievements.
“Setting goals is the first step from turning the invisible to visible.”
Tony Robbins
So, goal-setting is a foundational component of both personal and professional development.
This article explores the essence of successful goal-setting, emphasising the importance of defining objectives that are both ambitious and attainable.
By mastering the art of setting clear, achievable goals, you can unlock your potential, enhance your motivation, and set yourself up for success in all facets of life.
Here’s a little bonus…
Frank Smoll is a psychologist specialising in sports and coaching. He advocates keeping goals simple and introduces the ABCs of goal setting:
- A = Achievable
- B = Believable
- C = Committed
What Frank Smoll points out is that goal setting works well if:
- You know that what you want is Achievable.
- You Believe it’s achievable.
- You’re Committed to achieving it!
That’s great advice! Especially if you know what you want to achieve…
Understanding Goal Setting
Definition and Significance
Goal-setting involves identifying specific, desirable outcomes and planning actions to achieve them.
There are 3 types of goals that I consider to be important. I call them DOGs, PAGs and PTGs (see next section).
Setting goals is a powerful process that serves multiple purposes: focusing attention, mobilising effort, increasing persistence, and fostering strategies for goal attainment.
The significance of goal setting lies in its ability to turn dreams into tangible aspirations and eventual achievements, turning the abstract into the concrete.
Psychological Impact
The psychology behind setting goals is rooted in their ability to provide direction, lead to creating a plan, and measure progress.
Being clear about why a goal has been set acts as a stimuli towards motivation, the exertion of effort, and persistence in the face of challenges.
They also offer a sense ownership followed by satisfaction and accomplishment when achieved, reinforcing the cycle of setting and pursuing further goals.
The Three Most Useful Types of Goals Needed For Success + SMARTER
Defined Outcome Goals (DOGs)
First, we have defined outcome goals.
These are what the end-game leads to. Sometimes big, but not always – they are however the ones that make you feel like you’re on top of the world when you achieve them.
Think visions for the future, competitive targets, business results, specific project outcomes. Without these goals, we’d be like a ship without a captain, just floating around aimlessly.
Of course, outcome goals aren’t all earth shattering.
But they typically take more than one step, and sometimes many to achieve.
Planned Activity Goals (PAGs)
Now we need to break down our main DOGs into bite-sized activities.
That’s where planned activity goals come in.
These are the steps we take on our way to achieving our defined outcome goals.
In Project Management, some will be defined as key milestones, they’re a bit like mini defined outcome goals.
Without PAGs, your DOGs go nowhere and you might just as well lounge on the sofa all day watching repeats on TV!
Nothing happens without action. Deliberate, directional activity works best!
Progress Tracking Goals (PTGs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Last but not least, we have progress tracking goals, supported by Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
These are timely metrics uses to track activities and give us feedback on our progress towards achieving our PAGs and DOGs.
We define measurements that indicate how well we’re performing and serve to tell us when we reach our outcome and activity goals.
They’re like daily (or periodic, at least) checkpoints along the road to success.
Not necessarily numerical.
Without them, you’ll find it difficult to know what progress you’ve made and what you’ve got left to do.
Setting SMARTER Goals
Now, I introduce the concept of S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals.
An evolution of the widely recognised S.M.A.R.T. framework, S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals modernise the original criteria—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—with the addition of two more considerations: Environmentally Aware and Resourced.
The additions encourage:
- consideration of the broader impact of your goals and
- ensure you have, or can get, the resources needed to achieve them
thereby improving the effectiveness of your goal-setting process.
Understanding SMARTER Goals
The S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals framework is designed to provide a more holistic approach to setting and achieving objectives.
Let’s break down each component of the acronym:
- Specific
The foundation of a strong goal lies in its specificity. A well-defined goal clearly outlines what is to be accomplished, making it easier to focus efforts and resources. Specificity eliminates ambiguity, providing a clear direction. - Measurable
A goal that is measurable includes criteria for tracking progress and, ultimately, success. By quantifying the objective, it becomes possible to see how far you have come and how far you still need to go, which is essential for motivation and adjustment of strategies. This is where your Performance Tracking Goals (PTGs) are defined. - Achievable
Setting realistic and believable goals is key to maintaining motivation and avoiding discouragement. A goal should stretch your abilities but remain possible to achieve with effort and commitment. - Relevant
Relevance ensures that the goal aligns with your broader life or business objectives. A relevant goal matters to you and is aligned with other relevant goals, values and beliefs, ensuring that your efforts are concentrated on what truly matters. - Time-bound
Assigning a deadline to a goal creates a sense of urgency and helps prioritise tasks related to achieving the goal. Time constraints encourage focus and systematic progress. Take care with this though. Some deadlines can be de-motivating. - Environmentally aware
This aspect asks us to consider the wider impact of our pursuit of a goal. It prompts reflection on whether achieving the goal could have negative side effects on our surroundings, encouraging a more sustainable approach to success. - Resourced
Finally, assessing whether the necessary resources are available or can be obtained is crucial for the feasibility of a goal. Resources can be time, money, information, or any other requirement essential for achieving the objective.
Including these considerations in your goal-setting process improves the quality and clarity of your goals, and increases the likelihood of achieving them.
The S.M.A.R.T.E.R. framework encourages a comprehensive definition of a goal.
It considers personal ability, resource availability, and the broader impact of achieving one’s goals, making it a powerful tool for anyone looking to achieve lasting success.
The Role of Clarity in Goal Setting
Having a clear vision, and understanding the ‘why’ behind the goals we set eliminates ambiguity and triggers the smoothest possible journey towards their planning and achievement.
It allows individuals to focus their efforts effectively and to align their actions with their objectives.
Establishing such clarity ensures that your goals reflect your deep values, beliefs, and related aspirations.
Clarity also helps in breaking down larger, more abstract objectives into actionable steps.
Knowing precisely what you aim to achieve simplifies the process of creating a strategic plan to get there.
Moreover, understanding the deeper reasons behind your goals provides a source of inspiration and drive that mere obligations or external pressures cannot match.
This intrinsic motivation is key to maintaining momentum over the long haul, ensuring you stay committed to your goals even when external motivations wane.
Balancing Ambition with Realism
In addition, while goals should be challenging, they must also be achievable.
They are not at all useful if they’re not achievable!
Setting goals that are too ambitious can lead to disappointment and demotivation, while too-easy goals might not push individuals to fully realise their potential.
Not all goals require a trip out of our normal comfort zone but those that do help us learn more, and grow.
Finding the balance between ambition and realism is key to maintaining motivation and ensuring progress.
Prioritising Tasks Effectively
To turn goals into reality, identifying and prioritising the tasks that will move us closer to our objectives is key.
Acting on deliberate directional tasks moves you towards your goals and create momentum.
Prioritisation of tasks allows you to focus your time and resources on activities that offer the greatest impact on achieving your goals, ensuring efficient progress.
First, it’s important to consider if there is a critical path to adhere to.
This means clarifying task dependencies on each other so that those that need to be completed earlier are scheduled appropriately.
There will be some tasks that can be handled alongside each other. If you’re working alone, though, be aware that multi-tasking is rarely efficient.
Most tasks benefit from sustained focus.
One strategy for prioritising tasks is aligning them with the specific criteria of S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals.
This means evaluating each task based on how well it meets these criteria and prioritising those that are most specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound, environmentally aware, and resourced.
As you complete tasks, others might well become clearer.
In addition, tools like the Eisenhower matrix can also be used in this process by categorising tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance.
Tasks that are neither urgent nor important are either delegated or eliminated, ensuring focus remains on what truly contributes to our goals.
Then there’s the ABCD method; not to be confused with Frank Smoll’s ABC.
ABCD is a simple technique where tasks are assigned a letter based on their priority level, with ‘A’ tasks being the most critical and ‘D’ tasks being the least critical.
This method encourages a disciplined approach to task management, ensuring that effort is concentrated where it’s most needed.
Steps to Setting Clear, Achievable Goals
For your reference, here is a guide to the goal-setting process:
- Identify Long-term Aspirations
The first step in setting clear, achievable goals is to identify your long-term aspirations.
These are your big-picture objectives, the ultimate achievements you aim for in your personal or professional life. Once these are defined, they can guide the setting of shorter-term goals. - Break Down Aspirations into Actionable Goals
With long-term aspirations in mind, the next step is to break them down into smaller, more manageable goals. One method for this is the simple yet powerful chunking-down technique.
They should be actionable and specific, serving as stepping stones towards your larger objectives and also providing regular milestones to celebrate, helping to keep motivation high. - Prioritise and Schedule
Prioritise the tasks required and create a schedule. Include specific target dates where necessary. - Take action
No activity leads to no progress. Just get started and keep going! - Incorporate Flexibility
Life can be unpredictable sometimes, and flexibility is a key skill when carrying out tasks. Be prepared to make adjustments when necessary.
In addition, being prepared to amend your goals in response to changes or setbacks ensures that you remain resilient and focused on the bigger picture, even when the path to follow shifts.
Such deviations are perfectly normal and are great opportunities for learning and improving.
Tools and Techniques for Planning and Tracking
Leveraging tools and techniques for goal planning and tracking can significantly enhance the goal-setting process.
From traditional methods like journaling and to-do lists to digital apps designed for goal management, these resources can all provide input to the goal-setting and planning process and help you get and stay organised, monitor your progress, and adjust your strategies as needed.
(See “Additional Resources” below.)
Simply by recognising the characteristics of effective goals, and following a structured approach to setting and achieving them, you can significantly increase your chances of success.
The following sections will go into overcoming challenges in goal-setting, a set of FAQs and provide further resources to support you on your goal-setting journey.
Overcoming Common Challenges in Goal Setting
Despite the best planning, individuals often encounter other obstacles in setting and achieving their goals.
Although following the previous advice is likely to eliminate the main setbacks, and I’ve already referred to the need to remain flexible, recognising the following pitfalls and knowing how to handle them can greatly increase your chances of success:
- Failure to track progress
A common cliché states that what gets measured gets managed. Without measurable benchmarks, it’s hard to see how far you’ve come.- Regularly review your progress and adjust your approach as necessary.
- Lack of motivation
Unrealistic expectations, and fear of failure are among the most common challenges. Also, long-term goals can lead to waning enthusiasm. These barriers can derail progress and undermine confidence. Maintaining motivation is crucial, especially when progress seems slow or obstacles arise. But with the right strategies, they can be overcome.- Regularly visualising the end result and reminding oneself of the deeper reasons behind the goals can reignite passion and commitment.
- Setting smaller, interim goals or milestones can provide a sense of achievement and momentum.
- Celebrating these milestones, no matter how small, reinforces positive behaviour and keeps motivation high.
- Overcoming Setbacks
Setbacks are an inevitable part of any journey towards achieving goals. This can paralyse action. Remember, setbacks are part of the learning process. Embrace them as opportunities to grow and refine your approach.- Adopting a growth mindset, where challenges are viewed as opportunities for learning and growth, can enable you to transform setbacks into stepping stones.
- It’s also helpful to plan for potential obstacles in advance and develop strategies to address them, in order to ensure you’re prepared to stay on course.
- The Role of Support Systems
A robust support system can significantly impact the success of your goal-setting efforts:- Acknowledge the disappointment, learn from the experience, and adjust your plan.
- Trusted friends, colleagues, family members, mentors, or coaches can offer encouragement, advice, and accountability, helping you find a way through tough times and stay focused on your goals.
- Persistence, coupled with a willingness to adapt, is key to overcoming obstacles and moving closer to your goals.
- When faced with setbacks, resilience becomes your greatest ally.
Four Case Studies and Success Stories
I can illustrate how these principles have been successfully applied in various contexts, drawing from well-known examples and general practices in goal setting and achievement.
These narratives, while not formal case studies, serve as illustrative examples of the process.
Example: SpaceX’s Mission to Mars
Elon Musk’s vision for SpaceX was not just about building another aerospace company; it was about making humanity multi-planetary, with the long-term aspiration of colonising Mars.
This grand vision was broken down into actionable goals:
- Develop reusable rockets to reduce space travel costs (Falcon 1, Falcon 9).
- Launch and safely return the Dragon spacecraft from orbit.
- Develop the Starship for Mars colonization.
Each of these steps has clear, measurable milestones, demonstrating the chunking-down technique from a grand vision to specific, achievable projects.
Example: J.K. Rowling’s Writing Process for Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling’s journey to writing the Harry Potter series involved setting clear, actionable goals.
She prioritized her writing, setting aside time daily to work on her novels, even amidst personal challenges.
Rowling’s disciplined schedule and commitment to taking action, even when facing rejection from multiple publishers, eventually led to the series’ unprecedented success.
Her story underscores the importance of persistence and dedication to one’s goals.
Example: Nike’s Adaptation in the Digital Age
Nike’s ability to adapt its business model in response to the digital age and changing consumer preferences is a testament to incorporating flexibility into goal setting.
Facing stiff competition and the rise of digital commerce, Nike shifted its focus towards direct-to-consumer sales channels and digital platforms, such as its SNKRS app and Nike Training Club app.
This strategic pivot required adjusting long-term goals and embracing new technologies, showcasing resilience and adaptability in achieving business objectives.
Example: Google’s OKRs (Objectives and Key Results)
Google’s use of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) as a tool for setting and tracking goals is well-documented.
OKRs help teams and individuals at Google set ambitious goals with measurable results, aligning company, team, and personal objectives.
This framework encourages setting challenging and specific goals, with regular check-ins to track progress and adjust as needed.
Google’s success with OKRs illustrates how effective tools and techniques can be in managing and achieving goals.
FAQs
1. How do I set realistic goals?
Avoid being a perfectionist. The key is to aim high, but not so high that you don’t believe you can reach them. “Stretch goals”, like elastic, grow until they lose elasticity or break. Getting the balance right between your ambition and realism is key. If necessary, start small and work your way up; remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. To set realistic goals, start by identifying what you want to achieve and then chunk it down into smaller, achievable steps (see FAQ3). Consider your resources and limitations, and be specific about what you want to accomplish and by when. It can also be helpful to seek feedback and advice from others to ensure your goals are achievable.
2. How do I define outcome goals?
Think big but take onboard FAQ1! Defined Outcome Goals (DOGs) are your ultimate destination. They define where you want to go. Now you just need to figure out how to get there. Use simple “chunking up” questions to get clear about your destination and why you want to get there!
3. How do I break down my defined outcome goals into planned activity goals?
Think small! Planned Activity Goals (PAGs) are the single steps you take to get closer to your outcome goals. One way is to take those big, juicy defined outcome goals and chop them up into bite-sized pieces using “chunking down” questions.
4. What are some examples of progress tracking goals and KPIs?
Progress tracking goals are like short-term (sometimes daily) checkpoints on your journey towards your destination. Examples include tracking how many sales you make per week or how many pages you read or words you write per day. If your outcome goal is to run a marathon, your KPIs might be tracking your time, distance, and heart rate during training with specific measurement goals to achieve.
5. How often should I check my progress towards my goals?
It depends on your goals and your personality and if you’re working with a team. Some people like to track their progress daily, while others prefer a weekly or monthly check-in. Make sure you’re not obsessively checking your progress every five minutes.
6. Can goals change over time?
Yes, goals can change over time as circumstances and priorities change. Life is like a game of Jenga – sometimes you’ve got to make adjustments to keep everything from crashing down. It’s important to regularly review and adjust goals as necessary to ensure they align with current needs and desires. So, don’t be afraid to shift your goals around when necessary.
7. How do I stay motivated to achieve my goals?
Well, aside from reminding yourself that your future-self will thank you for your hard work, in reality, learning to focus single-mindedly is a key skill. It can also be helpful to get organised by breaking difficult looking goals down into smaller, more manageable steps. There are several ways to stay motivated, including regularly reviewing your progress, celebrating small victories, and surrounding yourself with supportive people. Above all, if you’re anything like me, you’ll find that if you’ve written your goals down along with your reasons for setting them, and that reminding yourself why the goal is important to you goes a long way towards keeping you going.
8. What should I do if I’m struggling to achieve my goals?
First, take a deep breath. Now think about Frank Smoll and the ABCs of goal setting. Then, re-evaluate your goals and make sure they’re still Achievable, Believable and that you’re Committed to achieving them. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or change your approach. Remember, a setback is an opportunity to take a detour, it’s not a dead end unless you make it so.
9. What if I don’t achieve my goals?
Hey, it happens on the way towards achieving anything that’s worthwhile. Just remember, failure is not the end of the world – unless you’re trying to build a doomsday device, in which case I prefer that you take a break from goal-setting! Not achieving a goal doesn’t mean you’ve failed. You can only fail if you give up when you didn’t want to or didn’t need to. Otherwise, you’re just experiencing a setback. It’s important to view setbacks as opportunities to learn, reassess your approach, and grow. Consider what worked, what didn’t, and what you could do differently and adjust your strategy. Remember, setbacks are a natural part of goal-achieving and persistence, resilience and flexibility are key to succeeding. So, don’t beat yourself up too much and keep pushing forward!
10. Are there any common mistakes to avoid when setting and working towards goals?
Yes! A favourite pastime is setting unrealistic goals (see FAQ1). Also, avoid comparing yourself to others (but do learn from people who know more), and don’t be too hard on yourself if you experience setbacks (see FAQs 8 and 9). Whatever you do, remember to have fun – life’s too short to be serious all the time!
Summary
In this article, we’ve explored the art and science of goal-setting, shedding light on the three most useful types of goals and introducing the enhanced framework of S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals.
We explored the significant role that clarity plays in setting and achieving outcomes, emphasising how vital it is to have a clear vision of what you’re aiming for.
I’ve provided a practical guide for formulating goals that are ambitious, yet realistic and sustainable, ensuring they align with your personal and professional values.
This approach sets the stage for success and also ensures that the journey towards your goals is both meaningful and fulfilling.
The journey towards achieving your goals, while often challenging, is made smoother by adopting these principles.
By setting clear, well-prioritised goals, monitoring your progress, and remaining adaptable, you can significantly enhance your productivity and move closer to the life you envision for yourself.
We’ve discussed strategies for prioritising tasks effectively, which is crucial for making the most of your time and resources.
Engaging with the wealth of resources available on goal-setting can further equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate this journey more effectively.
Whether you’re aiming to advance in your career, improve your personal wellbeing, or achieve a long-held dream, the S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals framework provides the structure and motivation needed to turn your aspirations into reality.
Now is the perfect time to start applying these principles, taking that first, well-defined step towards a more focused and fulfilling future.
Remember, the path to achieving your goals starts with a single, well-defined step.
Reflect on your long-term aspirations, break them down into manageable steps, and embark on the path towards turning your dreams into reality.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, so, take that step today.
I encourage you to embrace the journey, knowing that with persistence, flexibility, and the right strategies, extraordinary outcomes are within reach.
OK… so what have I missed? Feel free to comment or use the contact form.
Please remember to share!
🙂
Richard
Additional Resources
For those eager to explore deeper into effective goal setting and task management, a wealth of resources is available:
- Books:
- Atomic Habits” by James Clear offers insights into building habits that can help achieve goals.
- “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey provides a timeless framework for personal and professional effectiveness.
- Apps and Tools:
- Trello and Asana for task management and collaboration.
- Todoist and Microsoft To-Do for personal task management.
- Notion for an all-in-one workspace that accommodates notes, tasks, databases and KanBan. I use Notion for all my writing needs.
- Workshops and Courses:
- Platforms like Coursera and Udemy offer courses on goal setting, productivity, and time management taught by industry experts and academics.
Investing time in exploring these resources can provide further guidance and inspiration, helping you refine your goal-setting skills and achieve your desired outcomes more efficiently.
