Back in January I wrote an article for you and for those of you who like to make New Year’s Resolutions, about the details of SMART goals.
Now, below, is the continuation of that article, but this article will give you practical advice on how to write SMART goals so you can achieve them.
Influence and positive impact extend beyond formal management roles. SMART goals providing a powerful framework to set and achieve meaningful objectives. These goals, characterized by Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound criteria, align efforts with broader organizational goals, enhance decision-making, and foster collaboration. As a mid-level professional, you can use SMART goals to empower you and your teams, driving personal growth, organizational success, and lasting influence.
Specific: Goals should be clear, precise, and focused. Avoid vague or ambiguous language. Clearly define what you want to achieve.
Measurable: Goals should include measurable criteria to track progress and determine when the goal has been achieved. This adds objectivity and helps in assessing success.
Achievable: Goals should be realistic and attainable. While it’s good to set ambitious targets, they should still be possible given the resources and time available.
Relevant: Goals should be relevant and aligned with broader objectives. They should contribute to the overall mission and be meaningful in the larger context.
Time-bound: Goals should have a specific timeframe or deadline. This adds a sense of urgency, helps with planning, and provides a clear timeframe for accomplishment.
You may be wondering…..why do I need goals? What is their purpose? Will they make my life better? Can I use them for my homelife? New business? Getting a job? Can I use them to increase my credibility? And finally, can I use them as a professional development tool?
The answer is yes to all!
The top 10 ideas from the January article are listed below to help you spur some ideas of your own to write SMART goals and then implement them.
- Attend a communication workshop within the next month.
- Initiate regular team communication sessions for open dialogue.
- Organize quarterly team-building activities.
- Establish a collaborative platform for idea sharing.
- Take the lead in decision-making for one team project in the next three months.
- Seek team input in decision-making processes.
- Identify a mentor within the organization within the next month.
- Offer mentorship to a junior team member.
- Implement a recognition program for team achievements within the next two months.
- Motivate team members by acknowledging individual contributions regularly.
Leadership Skills
For mid-level professionals, leadership skills are a must to survive in your craft. Once you know what leaderships skills you want to improve upon, coming up with a goal is not so hard.
To refresh your memory….Here is a short list of leadership skills:
Communication
Vision
Purpose
Motivating others
Unity
Responsibility
Accountability
Mistakes
Bravery
Authenticity and self-assurance
Let’s say you want to improve your communication skills.
Where do you start?
By writing a SPECIFIC goal! Don’t just write any goal but write a goal that is clear and concise.
But first you must ask yourself:
What exactly do I want to accomplish?
Why is this goal important?
Who is involved?
Where will it take place?
What are the requirements and constraints?
Example
Specific
Instead of “I want to become a great public speaker,” a specific goal would be
“I want to be able to stand behind a podium and have my knees not shake.”
Measurable
Then ask yourself, how will you track your progress? You must quantify your goal whenever possible. This allows you to stay focused and motivated by observing your advancements.
How will I know when the goal is accomplished?
How much progress do I need to make?
Using the example above, writing a measurable goal would be “I will practice all my speeches at least 3 times or until I do not feel nervous before I need to present.”
Achievable
Are the specific and achievable goals realistic and feasible? While its essential to aim high, setting unattainable goals can lead you frustrated and the possibility of not attaining your goals at all.
Do you have the correct resources to achieve this goal? How can you fit the goal requirements into your time available?.
Is this goal within my capabilities? Or if not, do you know someone that can help you achieve this goal?
Do I have the necessary resources to achieve it?
Taking the example above, an achievable goal would be “I will practice my presentation in the boardroom at the podium a few times until I am comfortable speaking up.”
Relevant
Is your goal relevant to your job duties now? Or, is it relevant to the job that you may apply for in the future? How much does this goal mean to you? Your goal should align with your values, aspirations, and long-term objectives. It should be meaningful and relevant to your personal or professional growth.
Time-bound
Set a deadline to create a sense of urgency and accountability. Without a timeframe, you will lose sight of your goals and lose momentum.
Answer these questions: When do I want to achieve this goal? What can I do today to move closer to my goal?
When do you need to perfect your public speaking skill? Tomorrow? The next day? Make sure that you break down your goal into smaller milestones. This will make it easier to track your progress effectively.
If you need to perfect your goal tomorrow or the next day, it will not happen. As with any goal, it takes time to complete correctly. If your presentation is next week or in a few weeks, then there is time to practice and get it right so you are no longer nervous.
Lastly, always write your goals down.
Post where you can see them daily. This will help you stay motivated.
Completed SMART Goal
I want to become a great public speaker in 12 months by practicing each presentation in the boardroom at the podium using company software and a microphone, until I am not nervous. This is part of my job duties now (or I am practicing to speak because the job I want requires public speaking.
This process works for any goal you want to achieve. Now it’s your turn to rock your goals!
