SMART goals are goals that are clear, measurable, attainable, relevant, and have a deadline. They help you focus on what you want to accomplish and how you plan to do it.

They are a popular tool that people use at home and at work to help them set goals and work towards them in a structured and effective way.

SMART Goals

Here’s what each of the five parts of a SMART goal means:

Specific: A specific goal is one that is clear, well-defined, and has a clear end result in mind.
It tells what you want to get done, why you want to get it done, and how you plan to get it done.

Measurable: A measurable goal has specific criteria that you can use to track your progress and figure out if you’ve reached it. It should be measurable, so you can keep track of your progress.

Achievable: A goal that is “achievable” is one that you can reach with the tools and time you have. It should be hard, but not so hard that you can’t do it.

Relevant: An important, meaningful goal that fits with your values and long-term goals is relevant. It should be something you’re really interested in and want to work hard for.

Time-bound: A goal with a deadline or end date helps you stay focused and motivated to work toward it. It should also have checkpoints or milestones along the way to help you see how you’re doing and make changes if you need to.

A SMART goal could be: “I want to save $5,000 for a down payment on a house in the next year by making $500 more per month through freelance work and spending $250 less per month.”

This goal is specific (save $5,000 for a down payment on a house), measurable (save $500 per month and cut expenses by $250 per month), achievable (given the resources and limits), relevant (buying a house is important and fits with the person’s values and long-term goals), and time-bound (within the next year).

SMART goals can help you focus your efforts, stay motivated and accountable, and increase your chances of success.

They can also help you break down big goals into smaller, more manageable steps. This makes it easier to track your progress and make any changes you need along the way.

So, if you want to set and reach your goals, try out the SMART goal framework and see how it can help you get what you want.