SMART Goal-Setting: Turning Dreams into Realities

Actively setting and achieving goals is an important aspect of career advancement. However, setting long- range goals can be a difficult task. Often people have difficulty articulating the steps involved in achieving a desired outcome. Therefore, they get stuck before even getting started. It is helpful to set shorter term goals from the begin or identify milestones to stay motivated. As you begin to make small strides toward accomplishing your goals, you will be more motivated to go for the gold!

The SMART method, which is comprised of five elements, allows people to plot out their actions in a focused and specific way. The five elements are:

• SPECIFIC and expressed in concrete terms
• MEASURABLE meaning that you will have a way of measuring when you have achieved your goal
• ACHIEVABLE within the measurable parameters you set (necessary time, skills, and resources are available)
• RELEVANT to a passion and connected to a big picture outcome
• TIMELY- set a target date for achieving the goal

When you decide to set a goal, here’s a good way to start. First, name a specific outcome you’d like to achieve. Second, take a few moments to brainstorm ways to achieve that goal. At this point anything goes. Third, ask yourself the following questions to help you define your goal more clearly.

Questions:

• What steps do you need to take to reach your goal?
• What is most important now? 3mos. ? 6mos. ? 1 year ?
• What are the potential obstacles? Available resources?

Now, apply the SMART Method Test.

How’d you do?

As I mentioned previously, I’ve been working a lot with clients on their career transition and job search goal-setting. One common task is networking. I’ll use that task to illustrate the SMART method.

Goal- Get more exposure to marketing job opportunities by attending Marketing USA monthly events.

The statement sounds pretty good, but it lacks the details necessary to move forward. By applying the SMART method, the goal becomes more actionable. I’ll try again using the SMART method.

SMART Goal- Get more exposure to Orange County- based marketing job opportunities in the healthcare industry by attending Marketing USA, OC Chapter monthly events for 6 months, from February through July. At each meeting, meet at least 3 new marketing contacts in the healthcare industry and follow-up with each contact after the meeting.

The goal is specific, measurable and attainable. The actions to take are clear and require moderate action. The goal is relevant to the job-seekers’ desired outcome- a marketing job in the healthcare industry in Orange County. Finally, the goal is timely, framed within a set of dates.

By applying the SMART method, you increase your chances of actually achieving desired outcomes. So, set goals the SMART way and turn your dreams into reality!

Good luck!

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