Let me tell you something you didn't know you needed to hear:

You cannot attain your goals because you are not setting attainable goals.

Telling yourself, "I want to be promoted", is like saying you want to breathe air. Instead, be specific about what you want to achieve. For example, "I want to get promoted to a manager position by the end of the year." See the difference? When your goals are specific, you clearly know what you're working towards.

The latter statement is a smart way to set your goals because it comes with some "pressure" (for want of a better word) to achieve your goal.

This week we explore what SMART goals are, setting and achieving them.

What is a SMART goal, and why must we be smart about setting our goals?

Setting and achieving goals is a crucial part of personal and professional growth. However, this process of goal setting can sometimes be daunting, and without a clear plan, it is easy to get off track.

We can set precise, achievable, and trackable goals with the SMART goal-setting framework.

SMART is an abbreviation we will be dissecting in today's piece.

S: (SPECIFIC)

The first step in setting SMART goals is to ensure they are specific. A specific goal is well-defined and articulated. It is not enough to say, "I want to be successful." Instead, a specific goal would be, "I want to increase my sales by 20% by the end of the quarter." When your goal is specific, you clearly understand what you are working towards, making it easier to create a plan of action. There are many benefits to setting specific goals. Some studies have concluded that being specific about your goals increases the likelihood of completion.

To make your goals specific, ask yourself these five questions:

What do I want to accomplish? (I want to increase my sales by 20%)

Why is this goal important? (It will provide me visibility necessary to get promoted in the future)

Who is involved? (Me, Company's customers)

Where is the goal to be achieved? (In the organization I work)

Which resources or limits are involved? (Getting exceptional approval to obtain the contact list of all repeat customers)

M: (Measurable)

The second component of SMART goals is that they must be measurable. This means that you must be able to track your progress towards your goal. If your goal is to increase your sales by 20%, you need to be able to measure your current sales figures and track your progress towards that 20% increase. Measurable goals help you stay motivated and focused on your objective.

To measure your progress efficiently, know beforehand your indicator of progress and how to tell if you have reached your goal.

A: (Achievable)

Next up, make sure your goals are achievable. Don't set yourself up for failure by setting unrealistic goals. For example, if you've never run a mile in your life, it's unrealistic to set a goal to run a marathon next month. Instead, set a goal to run a mile in under 10 minutes by the end of the month. That's challenging but still attainable. Ask yourself:

Do I have the resources and capabilities to achieve the goal? If not, what am I missing?

Have others done it successfully before? If not, what can I do differently to ensure success?

R: (Relevant)

The fourth requirement for SMART objectives is that they be relevant. Relevancy implies that your objectives must be consistent with your beliefs, interests, and long-term goals. It will be challenging to remain motivated and committed if your objective is unrelated to your life or job route. When your goals are meaningful to you, staying focused and motivated to achieve them will be more straightforward.

If you're trying to save money for a group trip to Dubai, then setting a goal to learn how to play the guitar probably is irrelevant; saving 500 cedis a month might be. Stay focused on what matters to you and set goals that align with your values and interests.

T: (Time-bound)

When do you want to achieve your goals?

This is a crucial question to ask yourself in goal-setting because SMART goals must be time-bound. You must set a deadline for achieving your goal.

If the objective is not time-bound, there will be no sense of urgency, so procrastination might set in.

Clear goals enable you to maximize your resources and remain focused to accomplish the intended results within a particular timeline. Time-bound goals are essential for getting desired outcomes in any task. Creating timelines help ensure that our activities are purposeful.

So, even as you are planning to get promoted, be smart about it. Keep your goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Remember to celebrate your progress along the way.

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