Setting goals is a crucial part of personal growth and professional development. But achieving those goals isn’t just about knowing what you want to do; it’s about having a clear plan that leads you to success. The SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—have been popular for setting effective goals. This approach helps turn broad ideas into clear, manageable objectives by ensuring they are precise and realistic. However, even SMART goals might need an upgrade in a world that's always changing. That’s where the SMARTER framework comes in. It builds on the SMART criteria by adding two more elements—Evaluative and Re-evaluative. This updated approach helps in setting goals and regularly checking and adjusting them to fit your changing needs.

What Are SMART Goals?

SMART goals are a widely recognized methodology for setting clear and attainable objectives. Here’s a breakdown of each component:

• Specific: Your aim should be obvious and detailed, addressing who, what, where, when, and why. A well-defined goal helps focus your efforts and eliminates ambiguity. An explicit objective may be, "Join a nearby fitness center and spend time outdoors for thirty minutes at least at least three times a week," as opposed to something more general like "Get fit." In your pursuit of self-improvement, this degree of specificity offers unambiguous guidance, which can lessen worry and boost low motivation.
• Measurable: Your goal should include criteria for measuring progress and success. This involves quantifiable milestones or indicators that help you track your progress. For example, it is measurable to "Increase sales by twenty percent within six months" but not to "Improve sales". Having measurable goals helps manage stress and time effectively by providing clear benchmarks to aim for.
• Achievable: Your goal should be realistic and attainable within your resources and constraints. It is critical to set goals that are challenging yet still attainable. For example, "Complete a professional certification course by the end of the year" is achievable if you have the time and resources to commit. Achievable goals enhance self-esteem by setting you up for success and reducing the risk of frustration.
• Relevant: Your goal should be consistent with your overall objectives and values. It should be meaningful and pertinent to your long-term vision. For instance, "Develop a new marketing strategy to increase brand awareness" is relevant if your overarching goal is to expand your business. Relevant goals align with your broader aspirations, improving motivation and ensuring that your efforts contribute to your self-improvement.
• Time-bound: Your goal should have a clear deadline or time frame for completion. This makes you feel compelled to act by fostering a sense of urgency. For example, "Finish writing a business plan within three months" establishes a clear timeframe. Time-bound goals help with time management and ensure that you stay focused and organized, reducing procrastination and related stress.

Strategies to Establish SMART Goals

• Define Your Objectives Clearly: Start by articulating what you want to achieve in precise terms. Steer clear of generalities and concentrate on specifics. For example, instead of saying, "Improve my skills," specify, "Enroll in a course on digital marketing and complete it within three months."
• Set Quantifiable Metrics: Identify how you will measure progress and success. Establish criteria or benchmarks that will help you assess your achievements. For instance, if your goal is to "Enhance customer satisfaction," define what success looks like, such as "Achieve a 90% satisfaction rating in customer surveys."
• Assess Feasibility: Evaluate whether your goal is attainable given your current resources, skills, and constraints. Break down enormous goals into smaller, more doable activities to make them more attainable. For example, if your goal is to "Write a book," start with a goal like "Write 500 words a day."
• Align with Broader Goals: Ensure that your SMART goals align with your overall objectives and long-term aspirations. Reflect on how achieving these goals will contribute to your larger vision. For instance, if your broader goal is career advancement, set SMART goals that build relevant skills or achieve milestones in your field.
• Establish a Timeline: Create a clear timeline with deadlines for each phase of your goal. This will allow you to remain focused and organized. For example, if your goal is to "Launch a new product," set deadlines for each stage, such as research, development, testing, and launch.
• Regular Review and Adjust: Periodically evaluate your progress and make adjustments as needed. This guarantees that your objectives stay relevant and reachable. For example, if you’re working on a long-term project, schedule regular check-ins to assess your progress and address any obstacles.
• Seek Feedback and Support: Engage with mentors, peers, or advisors who can provide valuable insights and feedback. They can offer guidance, hold you accountable, and help you stay motivated. For instance, if your goal is to "Improve your leadership skills," seek feedback from colleagues and participate in leadership workshops.

Incorporating the SMARTER framework into your goal-setting process can profoundly impact your life by making your objectives not just attainable but also adaptable. This approach helps you stay on track by ensuring that your goals are continuously relevant and practical.

• Evaluative: By regularly assessing the effectiveness of your goals, you gain valuable insights into what’s working and what isn’t. This ongoing evaluation helps you make timely adjustments, preventing you from pursuing paths that are no longer useful or effective. For example, if you find that your strategy for a personal fitness goal isn’t delivering the expected results, you can tweak your approach or try new methods, keeping you motivated and on the right path.
• Re-evaluative: Being open to revising your goals as circumstances change allows you to stay flexible and responsive to life’s ups and downs. As your priorities shift or new opportunities arise, you can adjust your goals to align with your current situation. This flexibility is crucial for managing stress and maintaining motivation as your personal and professional life evolves.

Overall, the SMARTER framework helps you create a dynamic and responsive goal-setting process that leads to continuous personal and professional growth. It ensures that your goals are not only clear and achievable but also adaptable, helping you stay aligned with your evolving aspirations and challenges. Additionally, utilizing online counselling platforms like TalktoAngel can enhance your journey by offering support from the best psychologist in India. Incorporating techniques such as mindfulness can also boost your self-esteem and improve your relationships, making your goal-setting experience even more enriching.

Contribution: Dr (Prof) R K Suri, Clinical Psychologist, life coach & mentor TalktoAngel & Ms Samta Pareek, Counselling Psychologist.

References

• Doran, G. T. (1981). There’s a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management’s Goals and Objectives. Management Review, 70(11), 35-36.
• Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a Practically Useful Theory of Goal Setting and Task Motivation: A 35-Year Odyssey. American Psychologist, 57(9), 705-717.
• Smith, D. (2020). How to Set SMART Goals: Examples and Tips. Verywell Mind.
• Miller, C. C., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
• Mind Tools. (n.d.). SMART Goals – How to Make Your Goals S.M.A.R.T. Mind Tools.