So it’s that time of year again … the big “G” word is being thrown around like confetti.
G = Goals!
Everyone is scrambling, pulling together their big picture visions for 2022! But, how do we make sure that we have a plan to actually make it all happen?
Let’s discuss how to take that big picture vision and break it down into smaller goals and most importantly – make sure we can track them to completion!
A goal without a plan is just a wish ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
That’s where SMART goals come in … they help you:
Work with clear intention
Provide a method to track your success
Ensure your objectives are realistic and achievable
Keep you focussed on the important work
Set a clear time frame for your goal
What are SMART Goals?
SMART goals are concrete targets that you aim to hit over a defined period. “SMART” is the acronym that describes the most important characteristics of each goal, and stands for:
Specific – make sure it’s crystal clear on what has to be done and make sure it contains a verb
Measurable – it needs to be something you can measure. How will you know when it’s done? Is it trackable?
Achievable – set challenging yet achievable goals. Push yourself but don’t set yourself up for failure.
Realistic – make sure it’s realistic, no pie in the sky stuff. Break things down into smaller goals
Timely – set a target date for completion to ensure it remains a priority
Each SMART goal should have these five characteristics to make sure the goal can be measured and ultimately completed.
So, take your big picture vision, break it down into the individual goals that will help you achieve it and then make sure that each one of those goals is SMART by:
Using specific wording
Including measurable goals
Aiming for realistically attainable goals
Picking realistic goals that relate to your biz
Making sure the goals include a timeframe
An example of a SMART Goal
Here’s an example of a SMART goal to increase email subscribers:
Specific: I want to increase the number of email subscribers by increasing the advertising budget on my blog posts and sharing all blogs to relevant Facebook Groups.
Measurable: The goal is a 50% increase in subscribers.
Achievable: I’ve already increased my subscribers by 20% since I started using this method three months ago.
Realistic: By increasing the number of email subscribers, my blog will drive more traffic to the website, boost awareness and create more leads.
Timely: In six months
SMART Goal: In six months, I’ll see a 50% increase in the number of email subscribers by increasing the advertising budget on my blog posts and sharing all posts to relevant Facebook Groups.
Why are SMART goals important?
When you use this system to set your goals, you’re increasing the odds of actually completing them because you’ve made sure that the goal is actually achievable, you’ve also identified the metric that will define your success and you’ve created a timeframe for completion.
What to do after creating your SMART goals
If you have a team, share your finalised goals with the relevant people.
Check in on your progress regularly – I use Asana to track my goals and check in on them at least once a month. Try it out for free.
Marie Robertson-King
After decades working in mining, aviation and oil & gas, Marie founded Empress of Order, a virtual assistant service, in 2018 and quickly became fully booked. With a background in operations and safety, focussing on processes, systems and procedures, Marie now supports busy business owners and helps them bring order to their lives!
She’s certified by the VA Institute and was named in the Inside Small Business Top 50 Business Leaders in 2020.
Marie facilitates a coworking day each month in her hometown of Perth, where business owners get together to work and build connections. This year Marie expanded her empire with the purchase of The Digital Mums Directory, an online membership and directory for female digital experts in Australia, with two biz friends.
Marie lives in the beautiful Perth Hills with her husband Simon and fur-babies. She’s can’t function without her morning coffee and loves a glass of bubbles in the evening.
