Goals give you motivation and a sense of direction. Not having a goal can make you feel empty and unenthusiastic about living. When you set goals, you give yourself targets to aim for. Your life becomes more fun, valuable, and worth living.
The S.M.A.R.T Criteria
If you’re having a hard time setting goals for yourself, you can try using the SMART criteria. The term was first seen published in the November 1981 issue of Management Review by George T. Doran.
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Achievable
R – Realistic
T – Timely
A SMART goal can help you focus better and improve your chances of reaching your goal.
Specific goals are well-defined. They are clear and unambiguous.
To create a specific goal, you have to consider the “5 W’s”: who, what, when, where, and why. Answer the following questions with complete honesty:
- Who is involved in this goal?
- What do I want to accomplish?
- When do I plan to achieve this goal?
- Where do I plan to achieve this goal?
- Why do I want to achieve this goal?
