How to set SMART goals

If you want to reach something in (personal or professional) life, you must first know what you want to reach. Without a specific goal to reach for, you run around in circles without getting anywhere.
This is why you need goals and targets in your life, to push you to become a better person and improve your well-being.

A long time ago, Aristotle said, 'Well begun is half done,' and this also applies to our goals; setting the right goals and targets is already the work half done.
In this article, I will explain how to set smart goals that will help you develop as a person.

1. Why do we need goals?

Before digging deeper into setting smart goals, you need to understand why it is important to set goals.
Goals (even the smallest ones) give us direction, motivation, and a sense of purpose in our lives. Without desires or goals, we would be stuck in everyday routine and insecurity. Goals are the result of what you want to reach in life and what you want to become.

Ask someone what their goal in life is, and you will most probably get 'eeeeuh' or a generic 'be happy' as an answer. Sorry to say, but these people are stuck in the treadmill of life, dictated by them via education (or parents). If you want to achieve something exceptional or become successful, you need to have specific goals in your life. And these goals will force you to become a better version of yourself.

2. How to set SMART goals

Now that you know why having goals in life is so important, let's find out how to set the right goals.
We do this by setting SMART goals, where SMART is the acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.

Specific

Specific goals clearly show what you want to achieve. Remember to set a specific goal, not a vague one.
A specific goal answers the 5 W's: who, what, where, when and why. A broad goal is 'I want to improve my health', and a specific goal is 'I want to lose 5kg in the next five weeks by following a balanced diet and going to the gym three times a week'.

Measurable

A measurable goal allows you to keep track of your progress and helps you evaluate your goal's success (or failure). Your goals should have a concrete, objective way to measure them; this can be a deadline, a percentage reached, or a number reached.
A good example of such a goal is 'I want to save 500$ by the end of the year by setting aside 75$ from my paycheck and reducing unnecessary spending'.

Achievable

When setting goals, you have to be realistic and set attainable goals within your capabilities. Okay, you have to challenge yourself, but having unattainable goals can be frustrating and demotivating. So, you have to set your goals high enough, but not impossible.
An example is, 'I want to become a Notion Certified expert within three months by dedicating 1 hour of study every evening'.

Relevant

Relevant goals align with your broader objectives and are meaningful to you. They are more focused on your personal values and long-term targets.
Some people suggest that R stands for Realistic, but I think Relevant is more adequate because Achievable and Realistic are closely related.
A good example is, 'I want to improve my public speaking skills to advance in my career and become a more eloquent communicator.'

Time-bound

Your SMART goals should have a clear deadline, which creates a sense of urgency and helps you to stay focused. By setting a timeframe, you also make it easier to plan effectively.
An example can be 'I want to write 100 blog posts in six months by writing 500 words every day'.

3. Different types of goals

There are several types of goals, and understanding them can help you set SMART goals and achieve them more efficiently.
Here are the main categories of goals:

Timeframe based

These can be divided into main categories:

Short-term goals:

Objectives that you aim to achieve in the near future, typically within a few days or weeks. These can often serve as stepping stones to long-goal terms.
an example of a short-term goal can be finishing an AI course by the end of next week

Long-term goals:

You try to reach these targets over an extended period of time, usually several years.
Saving enough money to retire early is a good example of this

Based on life areas

Personal goals:

Are related to personal growth, happiness, and overall well-being. These can cover several areas of your life, such as health, finances, hobbies, etc.
Learning a new programming language can be such a goal.

Professional goals:

These are goals related to your career and work life, like job performance, career advancement, and skill development.
An example is becoming a Notion-certified expert.

Financial goals:

Financial goals involve managing your finances and reaching financial stability.
An example is to save 20,000$ for an emergency fund

Health goals:

These focus on improving your physical and mental well-being. They include exercise, diet, etc.
Trying to run a full marathon next year is a good example

4. What needs to be done next?

Understanding the importance of setting SMART goals is only the first step to reaching the end goal.

1. Why we need goals
2. How to set SMART goals
3. Different types of goals
4. What needs to be done next

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