SMART Goals Examples
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
You may have heard that SMART goals are the best way to reach your long-term goals. (If not, click here to learn about SMART goals). Maybe you even know what SMART stands for (specific, measurable, attainable/achievable, relevant, and time-bound). But, do you know how to create SMART goals? Do you know what SMART goals look like? Continue reading for examples of SMART goals that can help you learn how to create your own achievable goals.
Couch to 5k
The Couch to 5k program is a classic example of a plan that uses SMART goals. Couch to 5k is a 30 day program that helps people who have never trained in running learn how to go from completely sedentary to being able to run/walk/jog five kilometers while reducing risk of burnout and injury. In the Couch to 5k program, new runners start by walking at their own pace for four minutes, followed by a one-minute interval of running. Using this method of walking with increments of running, new runners develop the ability to run at a sustained pace for 30 minutes.
This is a popular method for getting in shape because it follows the SMART goal structure.
Specific - the final goal of completing five kilometers is specific, as are the daily goals
Measurable - the time and distance goals are provided, so you can see your progress
Attainable - the program is structured for everyone to start at their own pace and grow at their own pace, making it attainable.
Relevant - if your goal is to be a runner, this program gets you running.
Time-bound - the program is structured for 30 days, which allows for a specific deadline and time frame to complete the goal.
Higher Education
Higher education programs, whether at a university or a trade school, usually lay out a rough plan for students to start and complete the program. While it can be daunting to look at a plan that covers up to four years of your life to complete, the steps are all laid out in a framework that models SMART goals. By requiring 100 level classes before 200 level classes, breaking concepts down into specific courses, and having courses and assignments broken down further into weeks or days, the road map to reaching your goal is clear.
Specific - courses are specific to the subject, and the subject typically is related to your degree or certificate
Measurable - grades and progress through the program allow for measured progress along the way.
Attainable - each week's worth of work, while difficult, is attainable
Relevant - while there's an argument to say that elective courses are irrelevant, the coursework and the path are relevant to the goal of earning your degree/certificate
Time-bound - semesters and program deadlines provide a clear time frame for completing the program.
NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)
NaNoWriMo is an annual challenge to writers to complete the first draft of a novel in 30 days. There are several websites that provide detailed structure on how to do this, but the basic premise is that authors write a new novel of 50,000 words or more in 30 days. There are no requirements for genre, quality or to get your novel published. The goal is to finish a full draft.
NaNoWriMo is effective because it is based on SMART goals:
Sustainable - 50,000 words is a lot, but it translates to 1,667 words per day over 30 days. (For reference, this article is 942 words).
Measurable - there is a specific word goal which is measurable. You know when you have achieved the goal.
Attainable - for writers, this goal is attainable. It's difficult, but attainable. (Whereas, asking people to complete a final draft of a novel and submit it for publication in 30 days is not attainable).
Relevant - if your goal is to be a novelist, writing a novel is relevant.
Time-bound - NaNoWriMo takes place every November for 30 days.
Examples of non-SMART goals:
"I'm going to run a 5k in October" - this is time-bound and measurable, but if you're not already a runner it isn't attainable. Use SMART goals to create a plan that is attainable and will allow you to reach this goal.
"I am thinking becoming a scientist" - this doesn't meet any of the criteria for SMART goals. It's not specific. "Science" is too big of a subject for someone to practice as a career. It's not measurable, as there is no way to tell if you're a scientist or not. It's not attainable, because there are very few jobs that require a general knowledge of science that let you practice science. There's nothing to judge relevance on, and it's not time-bound. There's no deadline. "Becoming a scientist" could happen at any time.
"My dream is to write a novel." - This is a dream. Dreams are great, but they'll never be anything but dreams if you don't make a plan.
The SMART goals concept allows us to make a dream into a goal, and to structure that goal so that we can reach it. It doesn't guarantee success, because other factors such as depression, anxiety, past traumas, and even work, can be roadblocks. But, SMART goals make the path easier for us to take.
If you've been using SMART goals and still feel stuck, I can help. At True Grit Performance Counseling, I help people overcome anxiety, learn to manage past trauma, and discover who they are and what their true purpose is. If you are in Colorado and want help creating your path, click on the contact button below to schedule your free 15-minute consultation.