Yes, yes we know it’s February, but that’s not too late to create goals, or resolutions, for 2017. In fact, there is no ‘bad’ time to create goals and positive resolutions, but there are smart methods you can use to create them – techniques that will significantly improve the likelihood of success.  

They are called SMART goals – goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely. So get smart in 2017 and make personal and professional resolutions that will stick!

• Specific – The devil is in the details and goals are meaningless without them. Goals to ‘get fit’ or ‘improve sales revenue’ are fairly pointless without specifics. When creating goals, you will need to consider who needs to be involved, what exactly you are trying to accomplish, when you will achieve it and why the goal is important.
• Measurable – Define what the end result will look like and how success will be measured – by date, percentage complete, budget figure or other metric. This makes a goal more tangible because it provides a way to measure progress. If the project will take a few months to complete, set milestones to accomplish along the way.
• Achievable – Ensure that the goal is achievable given your capabilities, the resources available, the culture of your organization and the support of your team. A goal’s achievability may require developing new skills or shifting mindsets.
• Relevant – Ensure that the goal is within the scope of your role, the mission of your organization, and your own personal development. It must make sense for the broader business goals and it should move the needle on your personal goals too.
• Time Bound – Anyone can set goals, but if they lack realistic timing, chances are you will not succeed. Establish a detailed timeline associated with reaching the goal – when will it be accomplished and the milestones for key deliverables along the way. When you create a sense of urgency, things tend to get done.

The idea behind setting SMART goals is to create a strategic, detailed approach to accomplishing your goals, but bear in mind that goals should also be flexible. Company directions change and personal goals evolve, so you can – and should – re-evaluate your SMART goals every six months and re-set them as necessary.

If your organization needs help creating SMART goals for your leaders, teams or individual employees, give us a call at https://www.powersresourcecenter.com/contact/