SMART goals: what are they and how to set them?

Business people are used to setting goals. Those who try to live by the rules and are always at a certain height in society aspire to the same. However, it is not enough to simply set a goal. At the same time, it is still necessary to take any actions that will lead to this goal. Any actions leading to success must be carried out according to plan. In this matter, the technology of setting goals, which is called SMART, will certainly help.

Before proceeding with the main question, it is necessary to determine the meaning of the word SMART goals... By and large, it is a unifying abbreviation that is used in management. Its concept is to establish certain criteria that the final goal must meet.... SMART technology has been used for a long time when it comes to large projects. If we talk about the history of occurrence, then this development appeared back in 1965. It was created by motivational specialist D. Meyer.

A very talented master managed to develop a method that allows you to 100% achieve the desired result. The technique works very simply, as it has specifics, which concerns even the most scanty detail, inevitably leading to the goal. Do not think that this technique is intended only for extra-large projects. In fact, it has long found application in all areas of our life.

If you start studying it, then any sane person will get great pleasure from this process. Plus, you can easily create a plan to help bring your goal to fruition. The principle here is simple - it is necessary to create such a system of actions that will become the most correct. For example, this technology can be used primarily by those people who want to change their lives by 180 degrees.

What are they afraid of? First of all, to lose what you have. Not everyone will dare to abandon a more or less prosperous life in favor of invisible prospects. However, at the same time, a person who has decided to reshape his life no longer wants and cannot act according to the old rules. What to do? It is necessary to draw up a certain plan of thoughts that will definitely lead you to the true result.

And remember the choice of desire is a process that only at first glance will seem very easy. But as soon as you start to formulate a certain desire, you will feel that there are more and more of them. Therefore, write down each of them on paper.

It should be borne in mind that if you do not have a specific plan of action, then you are just a dreamer. This is the peculiarity of the SMART technology. Nevertheless technique does not force you to "jump over your head" and does not require you to do things that you cannot perform. Therefore, this technology relies not only on certain expectations, but also on the factor that predicts the future, that is, the final result. So, Let's take a closer look at what a SMART goal is and what its specifics are.

1. First of all, you should be concerned about a specific desire.

2. You must measure the built model for a specific implementation.

3. You should be interested in the consistency of the project with the reality of execution.

4. It must be in reachable format.

5. Have a specific time frame.

If you agree with the setting of the above parameters, then your correctly formulated goal will be achieved. At the same time, all points should be clear, and there is no place for abstractions in this matter. Do not be afraid that setting a goal in this way will take a long time. Remember: you do not need to regret the time spent on something that will be very useful to you. To define a goal and make sure that it does not "let you down" in the end, you need to "drive away" this goal according to a number of signs, which are given below.

Translated as "specifics". In this case you need to present in detail the final result in your mind, and also present with precision the moment that will allow you to describe it in detail. Therefore, try to present in all details what you want to receive. You need to take a piece of paper and write the correct desire on it. For example, let's say you want to build your back muscles and build your biceps. It would be correct to write: to increase the volume of the muscles of the back and neck.

You can't write like this: "increase the figure in volume." Why is one entry correct and the other not? Because you can increase in volume anything you want and in any way. For example, you can use body fat to increase the volume of your figure, but not get the result you would like to get. Therefore, when formulating words, do not use spatial descriptions. Use only detailed descriptions. In this case, it is better to act on the basis of such questions.

1. Which result would suit me the most?

2. Why do I need such a result, and not any other?

Specification always raises many questions. Therefore, you need to use, in addition to the above questions, 6 more, which more clearly specify your goal.

1. Who else will take part in the action?

2. What do you need to get?

3. Where and with whom will you take specific actions?

4. When do you plan to finish your business you started?

5. Why did you choose this goal and not another?

Indicates measurability. I need this a measure so that you will not be disappointed in your actions ahead of time. Therefore, based on your goal, choose the most understandable quantitative or qualitative units of measurement. By the way, such a measure will help both in training and in sales.

Here's an example from real life: you have to pass some very important test in a subject. Take a piece of paper and write your wish. Remember, it must be specific. Correctly write: pass the USE in English by 100 points. Wrong to write like this: learn English.

Measurability is very important in education. In order for the future applicant to be able to choose the desired profession, he must measure all his capabilities. For example, if a future student does not know mathematics and physics, but enters the faculty where these subjects are necessary, then his chance to graduate from university is significantly reduced.

Translated as "achievable". The goal in any case can be achieved or not achieved. According to the SMART method, this criterion should analyze and calculate the reality of the task at hand. For example, if we talk about production, then this method can be applied specifically in personnel management.

At the same time, the question is clear: "Does a person have enough resources to achieve this goal?" For example, a manager must calculate such a moment: having chosen a manager to perform a task, he must be sure that he has the strength and knowledge to complete the task.

If the success of the enterprise depends on the completion of the task, then this issue should be studied in the most thorough way. Therefore, the characteristic of the manager's personal qualities should also be considered in more detail. Means, the goal should be within your reach. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate its attainability and adjust, if necessary.

Know that if you set an unattainable goal, for example, to become a pilot, and your health is poor, then you will quickly become disappointed not only in the goal itself, but also in life in general. However, this does not mean that you should not set ambitious goals. Striving is always a victory. To make it easier for you to arrive at the desired result, simply break your goal into several stages and move gradually, thinking about each of your steps... For example, on a piece of paper, write the correct phrase: "Sign up for ballroom dancing and start performing in front of the public."

Defined as "consistency" or "importance". This particular item will require the one who set the goal to ask himself the question: "Why do you need to achieve the goal that was set?" If you know for sure that when you achieve your goal you will rise to a higher level, then you need to continue to act. You need to do this also when you once again make sure that the goal is fully consistent with your desires and inner convictions.

If you doubt something, then victory will seem pointless to you. And if not, then your subconscious mind will somehow lead you to a true solution. Thanks to the Relevant item, you can focus your attention on your further aspirations and actions. In addition, in case of any doubt about the expediency of achieving the goal, it is necessary to make a temporary pause. This will give you some time to think it over, and then you will be able to make the right decision in one direction or another.

To more accurately understand what is at stake, it is necessary to give an example. Take a piece of paper and write a correctly formulated desire on it. It would be correct to write like this: “Sign up for design courses”.But the wrong idea would sound like this: "Become a designer." And all why? Because before you can become a specialist in any field, you need to undergo training. It is well known that training requires the expenditure of strength and energy.

Translated as "time constraints." This important point suggests that on the way to achieving the goal, it is very important to determine the timing of the task. If your actions on the way to the goal drag on indefinitely, then it is quite possible that you will lose interest both in the actions themselves and in the goal itself.

Imagine that you are constantly postponing the deadline for completing the task at hand. For example, let's say you decide to renovate a small apartment you bought at a young age. If the renovation of the interior turns into an endless process, then it will come to buying a new, more spacious apartment than to the completion of the renovation.

Advice: when implementing any business that requires a lot of time, divide the implementation process into stages, and give each stage an exact time setting. Again, you need to write down on paper all the actions that you are going to perform. Moreover, these actions must be recorded correctly. For example, it would be correct to say: "Study diligently at the institute for a translator for 5 years." An incorrect entry will look like this: "Become a translator."

Naturally, as in any other business, SMART technology has its pros and cons. Advice based on a special technique may not be suitable for every person. In the fulfillment of any goal, it is the human factor that plays an important role. Even state-of-the-art technology cannot accurately calculate all the risks when it comes to human personality. That's why always and everywhere you need to leave "loopholes" so that you can quickly adjust to the changed reality.

For example, an individual is going to go on vacation in the summer. In six months, he decided on all the necessary points for the SMART system. However, people tend to get sick. One month before departure, this individual became seriously ill. He had to spend all the funds to restore his health. There is no money left for the vacation. Here's a concrete example of how circumstances can change that make all your actions meaningless.

However, psychologists are not without reason saying that you need to have positive thinking. We need to hope for the best and still make long-term plans. Therefore, SMART technology, in spite of everything, is an indispensable assistant when a person wants to achieve any goal. These are the main positive features of SMART technology.

1. it practicality. Thanks to this trait, a person can draw up a plan of his actions and will know in advance in which direction he will move on.

2. it versatility. This technology is suitable for both very important and busy people, and those who set personal goals that are least important compared to other goals designed to solve large-scale problems.

3. it detail... Thanks to a clear distribution of forces and capabilities, it is easier for a person to achieve a positive result. At the same time, all the details are carefully thought out, thereby minimizing the risks that may arise as a result of rash decisions.

4. it availability... The method can be applied even by the most ignorant person in various modern techniques.

Separately, it is necessary to say about such a point as motivation, which consists of 2 parts.

1. A person internally gives himself a set for any action or inaction.

2. A person compares his capabilities and abilities in order to achieve a certain goal.

Motivation is a positive experience that is associated with the desire to implement an idea. Motivation must also match the inner culture of any person. Thanks to motivation, a person receives energy to activate his actions, which is immediately directed towards achieving a goal. At the same time, attention becomes selective.

Each person needs to set formulated goals.... Only in this case he will consider himself a full-fledged person who strives for something. Any goal has an end result. Without this most important point, it is impossible to achieve anything. If a person cannot concretize the path that leads him to the goal, then such a goal will not be a goal, but will remain only a beautiful dream.

The goal shouldn't look abstract. Therefore, people came up with a goal setting system, namely, the SMART technology. A smart system allows you not only to set goals, but also to plan your actions, which inevitably lead to results. So where do you start to set a goal and start moving towards it? Let's start with specifics, namely, we must understand which moment is of the greatest interest. Here it is necessary to understand and answer the question: "What do you most want?"

Then let's move on to measuring our strengths and capabilities.... Remember that the main challenge is not to overstrain or overdo it as you progress towards your goal. Next, we will determine its attainability.

The urgency of the problem has not yet been canceled. If the deadline for completing the task has expired, then it is quite possible that continuing to act further is useless. That's why it is imperative to determine the timing of the assignment. They must be accurate and consistent with the reality of the performance. The correct setting of goals is the point that cannot be ignored due to its special importance. To make the goal different:

• concreteness, it is necessary to answer the following questions: “What? When? How many?";

• measurability, you need to decide on percentages, amounts or kilograms;

• achievability, it should be one step closer and differ in the safety of execution, everything should depend only on you;

• importance, you need to determine the end result, with its tangibility and value;

• limited in time, you must decide on the beginning of actions, the intervals between your actions and the final end.

SMART technology will work effectively if you follow the instructions and follow them with precision. To do this, you need to study the method under consideration in all details. Particular attention should be paid to the rules for using the proposed method. What are they?

• All is obligatory write it down. To do this, use a special notebook or diary. Make these items colorful. They should differ in their unusual appearance from other office supplies of this orientation. If we talk about the records themselves, then they will allow you to always remember the task and the final goal, as well as remember the conditions for implementation. Bottom line: writing contributes to the concentration of attention both on the goal itself and on the methods of its implementation.

• The importance of what you want - this is one of the most important conditions for achieving the goal. Your desire does not have to be secret. It must be balanced in all decisions. This condition ensures that you will always be focused on certain actions that bring you closer to the fulfillment of desire.

• Don't get hung up on desire. If, due to changed circumstances, you cannot continue dynamic actions on the way to the goal, then step back from it.

• Tenacity Is a good trait. But if your persistence is diffused, and not aimed at solving a very important problem, then nothing will work.

• You also need to think about the expediency of completing the task, if it has lost its relevance. In this case, you should not waste your time and energy in vain.