S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Sometimes running a business can be lonely and very daunting so having regular light at the end of the tunnel is essential to maintaining positivity. That light becomes achievable when you have a clear set of goals in your business plan. Every good leader has goals. Your goals will help you stay on track to achieving your bigger vision day after day and the SMARTer they are, the more productive you’ll be.

A S.M.A.R.T. goal is defined as one that is specific, measurable, achievable, results-focused, and time- bound.

• Specific: Goals should be simplistically written and clearly define what you are going to do.
• Measurable: Goals should be measurable so that you have tangible evidence that you have accomplished the goal.
• Achievable: Goals should be achievable; they should stretch you slightly so you feel challenged, but defined well enough so that you can achieve them. You must possess the appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to achieve the goal.
• Results-focused: Goals should measure outcomes, not activities.
• Time-bound: Goals should be linked to a timeframe that creates a practical sense of urgency, or results in tension between the current reality and the vision of the goal. Without such tension, the goal is unlikely to produce a relevant outcome.

“Do not quit! Hundreds of times I have watched people throw in the towel at the one-yard line while someone else comes along and makes a fortune by just going that extra mile.” –E. Joseph Cossman.

Goals help us to cut through the clutter of a crowded mind and keep our thoughts on the things that matter most. They help us focus. To be effective, you can’t just set random goals the way many people do — long lists of wishes that pop up at random and eventually fall away. You must be smarter than that with your goals. The SMART criteria get you to be very concrete about your goals, which makes them easier to attain. You are your business. Work hard and be SMART.