Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals Savvy Strategies to Help you Succeed
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W H A T I S A S . M . A . R . T . G O A L ?
S.M.A.R.T. is a goal-setting tool, which identifies five criteria for setting effective goals: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Goals built around these criteria are likely to be met because they are focused, realistic, and actionable. For more specific definitions and examples of each criterion, use the buttons below:
S Specific
M Measurable
A Achievable
R Relevant
T Time Bound
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S I S F O R S P E C I F I C
When setting a goal, be specific about what you would like to achieve. Think about how you might reach your goal, as well as what you hope to gain by achieving it.
I want to be a better student.
This is a vague goal. Without further definition, it will be difficult to achieve. To improve this goal, ask, “Why do I want to be a better student? And more importantly, how can I become a better student?”
This term, I will focus on improving my probability skills and earn at least a B in my statistics course.
This goal is much more specific. It includes a focused definition of what it means to be a better student (at least a B grade) and considers what can be gained by achieving this goal (improved math skills).
S Specific
M Measurable
A Achievable
R Relevant
T Time Bound
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M I S F O R M E A S U R A B L E
Realistic, effective goals offer a way to measure your progress. Measurable goals also clearly indicate when you have succeeded in achieving your goal.
I want to be in better health.
This goal can’t be measured. What does it mean
to be in better health and how will you know when
you have achieved it?
I will improve my physical health by riding my bike to work at least three times per week.
This goal is measurable. It will be achieved when
you successfully ride your bike to work a
minimum of three times per week.
S Specific
M Measurable
A Achievable
R Relevant
T Time Bound
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A I S F O R A C H I E V A B L E Set goals that are feasible, realistic, and within reach. Goals should be challenging but not unattainable—otherwise, you may be setting yourself up to fail.
I am going to write 25 pages of my dissertation each week, so that I can finish within 6 weeks.
This goal is likely unachievable. Dissertations are meant to be written over long periods of time. Even full-time professional authors cannot adhere to such a rigorous pace.
For the entire month of January, I will dedicate at least one, distraction-free hour per day to writing my dissertation.
While still challenging, this goal is more realistic. If all goes well, at the end of January, you can commit yourself to another month of daily writing or adjust your goal to better suit your lifestyle and obligations.
S Specific
M Measurable
A Achievable
R Relevant
T Time Bound
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R I S F O R R E L E V A N T Goals should reflect your values and long-term objectives. Avoid setting goals that may distract from, or that don’t directly contribute to, the achievement of more urgent, overarching aims.
I will complete my Master’s of Nursing within three years by taking two online
classes per term.
Again, if you are a Master’s of Nursing student, it
makes sense to set a goal that is directly related
to your long-term academic and professional
objectives.
I want to write a novel before I turn 40.
For career authors and creative writers, this might
be a realistic and relevant goal. However, if you are
actively pursuing a Master’s in Nursing in order to
further an established career in the health field,
focusing on a novel is likely distracting and
counterproductive.
S Specific
M Measurable
A Achievable
R Relevant
T Time Bound
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T I S F O R T I M E – B O U N D
When you set a goal, establish a target deadline or timeframe, as well. Deadlines help you stay motivated and focused on achieving your goal.
I want to run a marathon.
This goal may be achievable, but without a timeframe, it doesn’t mean much. Many of us want to run a marathon someday; fewer of us commit to and train for a specific event.
I will adhere to the Runner’s World 16-week training schedule, so that I am prepared to run the Boston Marathon on April 15th.
This goal is specific, measurable, achievable, and time- bound. It includes a deadline, which is tied to a particular event and realistic training plan.
S Specific
M Measurable
A Achievable
R Relevant
T Time-Bound
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S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z – Q U E S T I O N 1
1.) A middle school teacher sets the following goal: I will attend two professional development workshops.
Which two S.M.A.R.T. criteria does this goal fail to meet?
Time Bound
and Specific
Relevant and
Measurable
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S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z Q U E S T I O N 1 C O R R E C T A N S W E R
A middle school teacher sets the following goal: I will attend two professional development workshops. Which two S.M.A.R.T. criteria does this goal fail to meet?
Time Bound and Specific
That’s right! Setting a goal to attend two workshops is measurable. When the teacher has attended two workshops, they’ve achieved their goal. Moreover, attending professional development is likely relevant to a middle school teacher. However, this goal is not specific (which two workshops and why?), nor is it tied to a deadline (when will this task be completed?).
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S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z Q U E S T I O N 1 I N C O R R E C T A N S W E R
A middle school teacher sets the following goal: I will attend two professional development workshops. Which two S.M.A.R.T. criteria does this goal fail to meet?
Relevant and Measurable
Take a second look at this one: setting out to attend two workshops means that the goal is measurable. When the teacher has attended two workshops, they have achieved their goal. Moreover, attending professional development is likely relevant to a middle school teacher. However, this goal is not specific (which two workshops and why?), nor is it tied to a deadline (when will this task be completed?).
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S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z – Q U E S T I O N 2
2.) A doctoral Public Health student sets the following goal: To improve my grammar, I will complete the Sentence Structure Basics and Verbs modules in the Writing Center with a 90% score within 6 months.
Does this goal meet all five S.M.A.R.T. criteria?
Yes
No
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S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z Q U E S T I O N 2 C O R R E C T A N S W E R
A doctoral Public Health student sets the following goal: To improve my grammar, I will complete the Sentence Structure Basics and Verbs modules in the Writing Center with a 90% score within 6 months. Does this goal meet all five S.M.A.R.T. criteria?
Yes
That’s right! This goal does, in fact, meet all five criteria. The student refers to specific modules, sets a metric to determine success (90%), and attaches the goal to a timeframe of 6 months. Moreover, this is an achievable goal—the student is not expecting perfection, and the timeline is realistic. Finally, for a doctoral student who will eventually write a dissertation, proper grammar is especially important, which means that this goal is relevant.
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S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z Q U E S T I O N 2 I N C O R R E C T A N S W E R
A doctoral Public Health student sets the following goal: To improve my grammar, I will complete the Sentence Structure Basics and Verbs modules in the Writing Center with a 90% score within 6 months. Does this goal meet all five S.M.A.R.T. criteria?
No
This goal does, in fact, meet all five criteria, and here’s why: the student refers to specific modules, sets a metric to determine success (90%), and attaches the goal to a timeframe of 6 months. Moreover, this is an achievable goal—the student is not expecting perfection, and the timeline is realistic. Finally, for a doctoral student who will eventually write a dissertation, proper grammar is especially important, which means that this goal is relevant.
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S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z Q U E S T I O N 3
3.) A Bachelor’s of Psychology student sets the following goal: I want to improve my listening skills.
Is this goal measurable?
Yes
No
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S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z Q U E S T I O N 3 C O R R E C T A N S W E R
A Bachelor’s of Psychology student sets the following goal: I want to improve my listening skills. Is this goal measurable?
No
Good work! This goal is not measurable. It does not include a way to measure or track the student’s improvements. Furthermore, because it does not offer a definition of what improved listening skills looks like, it would be impossible to know when this goal has been achieved.
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S . M . A . R . T . G O A L S Q U I Z Q U E S T I O N 3 I N C O R R E C T A N S W E R
A Bachelor’s of Psychology student sets the following goal: I want to improve my listening skills. Is this goal measurable?
Yes
This goal is not measurable. It does not include a way to measure or track the student’s improvements. Furthermore, because it does not offer a definition of what improved listening skills looks like, it would be impossible to know when this goal has been achieved.
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More Resources
Now that you’ve completed this interactive
lesson, take the next step by setting your
own S.M.A.R.T. goals. The Academic
Skills Center offers additional resources
around S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting, including
a blog post and a helpful template:
• S.M.A.R.T Goal-Setting (blog post)
• S.M.A.R.T. Goals Template (PDF)
Questions? Email us at
academicskills@mail.waldenu.edu
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