SMART Goal Setting 101

What is a SMART Goal?

There are several ways you can define the acronym SMART. This is the definition that is most
appropriate for small business owners:

•     Specific - You have clearly defined what you want to accomplish.
•     Measurable - You have identified targets and milestones to track your progress.
•     Attainable - Your goal is realistic and manageable.
•     Relevant - You have identified a goal that fits with your business model.
•     Time-Based - You have identified a specific period of time for the goal.

Five SMART Goal Setting Tips

Now that you know the basics about SMART goal setting, here are five tips that will help you maximize SMART goal setting in your business.

1. Think About the Big Picture: SMART goal setting is about breaking goals down into validated segments. At the beginning of the process, before you run your goal through the SMART criteria, it can be helpful to start at the end and work backwards. When you have the big picture end goal in mind, it's often easier to stay focused through the process.

2. Get Down to the Nitty Gritty: After you have the big picture in mind, you need to take the opposite approach and focus on the details. When you begin to break your goal down into smaller actions in order to fulfill the "measurable" and "attainable" SMART criteria, include actions that are as small and as specific as possible. The smaller the steps you need to make, the easier it will be to make forward-moving progress and build momentum.

3. Use a Systemized Formula: SMART goal setting is about using a formula that, when completed successfully, will get you from point A to point B efficiently. The more structured you are in the process, the easier it will be to make progress. Use the SMART worksheets, examples and tools I included above to get started. And resist the urge to set goals in your head! Write everything down so you have a record of what you're aiming for and how you intend to achieve it.

4. Track Your Progress: When you are entrenched in your goal and so focused on the daily actions you need to take, it can be easy to forget where you are in the process. Plan regular goal check-ins to gauge your progress, review your next steps and celebrate your successes. This is not only a great way to make sure you're moving in the right direction, but it will also let you revel in your progress and stay motivated to keep moving.

5. Set an End Date: Open-ended goals are dangerous for a number of reasons, one of which is that there is no urgency or time pressure to encourage progress. No end date often means slower progress. That's why the "time-based" part of SMART goal setting is so important. Think through a timeline for your goal when you are first getting started and break it down into smaller targets so you can easily see your success at each milestone.

Source: http://about.com