hello stranger!
LOG IN | BECOME A FRIEND

How SMARTER are your goals?

Wed, 16 Mar 11

Setting SMARTER goals is a powerful goal-setting strategy.

Our version of the word SMARTER stands for:

S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Ambitious
R - Reachable
T - Time Based
E - Evidence
R - Reward

Specific
The more detail the better. Specifics make it real. Rather than – Increase revenue. How much do you wais to increase revenue by?

Measurable
Can you track its progress? The goal can be quantified or is at least tangible. For example, ‘Move average contract size from $1,500 to $1,650.’ All goals should have a #, $ or % sign – otherwise they are too hazy.

Ambitious
The goal should get you excited/nervous just thinking about it. It will challenge you to become more – in many areas! It should stretch the comfort zone!

Reachable
While it’s great to set lofty goals, you want goals to be reachable in order to build a culture of achievement.

Time Based
Goals should be broken down into a sequence of goals based on time. For example, ‘Ten calls per day this week.’ And those goals should be placed directly into your calendar for the exact time & day you’ll do the work. What is the finish line – date/time?

Evidence
What evidence will you produce/share when complete? Is it on a scorecard, spreadsheet, etc?

Reward
What is the celebration? As a team it is great to work towards a results and then celebrate in a way that makes the effort worthwhile.

Also, break the habit of allowing people to have all their goals due on the last day of the quarter. It’s better to pepper the goals throughout the month/quarter/year.

So...How much SMARTER are your goals going to be this quarter?

Tags: Goals, Business, Planning, Strategy