Setting SMART Goals

Have you ever thought where will you be 5 years from now? What will you be doing in next 10 years? Are your objectives at your current workplace clear? Are you aware of what you want to achieve by the end of the day?

If the answer of any question is ‘NO’, then you need to set goals.

Many people spend their lives wandering from one job to another, or rushing around trying to get more work done while actually triumphing very little.

Goals are part of every aspect of life and provide a sense of direction, motivation, a clear focus, and clarify importance. By setting SMART goals for ourselves, we are providing with a target to aim for. SMART Goals are goals for your day-to-day job.

SMART goals means you can clarify your ideas, focus on your efforts, use time wisely and resources productively, and can also increase the chances of attainment of what you want in life.

SMART goals are:

  • Specific: Well defined, clear, and unambiguous
  • Measurable: With specific criteria that measure your progress towards the accomplishment of the goal
  • Achievable: Attainable and not impossible to achieve
  • Realistic: Within reach, realistic, and relevant to your life purpose



Your goals should be clear and definite. When setting a goal, be specific about what you want to accomplish. When drafting your goals, try to answer the five “W” questions:

  • What do I want to accomplish?
  • Why is this goal important?
  • When do I want to accomplish?
  • Who is involved?
  • Where is it located?
  • Which resources will be required?



It’s important to have measurable goals, so that the progress could be tracked and you can stay motivated. The M is an indicator of what success for a particular goal will look like. Prepare a metrics to determine if you have met the goal, this makes a goal more tangible.

A measurable goal should address questions such as:

How many?            How will I know when it is accomplished?



Achievable goals are the apex of a smart goal-setting strategy. Achievable goals put things in perspective. Your goal needs to be realistic and attainable to be successful. To make goals attainable, you need to be aware of your limitations. And of how you can stretch past those limitations and beyond. Achievable goals motivate. They become a milestone. 

The goal is meant to inspire motivation, not discouragement.




In this point, address the following the question:

Why do you want to reach this goal? What is the objective behind the goal, and will this goal really achieve that?

Relevance refers focusing on something that makes sense with the broader business goals.



Time is precious! Anyone can set goals, but if it lacks realistic timing, chances are you’re not going to succeed. Every goal needs a deadline, so that you can remain focused towards completion of the goal and refrain from being overtaken by other unrelated routine tasks.


SMART is an effective tool that provides the clarity, focus and motivation you need to achieve your goals. SMART goals are easy to use by anyone, anywhere, without the need for specialist tools or formal training.