Get SMART: A Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Goals in Your Career
A SMART Start
In the fast-paced world of career development, having clear and achievable goals is important for attaining success. One effective framework for goal-setting is the “SMART” criteria, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.
By following these guidelines, you can create goals that not only inspire you, but also provide a clear path for your professional growth!
Here’s a helpful guide to help you set SMART goals in your career:
1: Define Specific Goals
The first step is to make your goals as specific as possible. A specific goal has a clear and defined outcome.
For example, instead of saying, “I want to improve my skills”, you ought to say, “I want to complete a certification in project management.” By asking yourself who is involved, what you want to achieve, where it will happen, when you want to accomplish it and why it is important, you can understand exactly what you are aiming for and double down on your efforts to achieve it.
2: Make Your Goals Measurable
Once you have a specific goal in mind, the next step is to determine how you will measure your progress. A measurable goal allows you to track your advancements and know when you have achieved your objective.
For example, instead of just vowing to attend networking events and engage with professionals without a clear target, set a goal for yourself to participate in three industry networking events and connect with at least ten professionals by the end of the year.
Measurable criteria might include numeric indicators (eg. the number of events, the number of certifications earned) and qualitative assessments (eg. feedback from your colleagues or mentors).
3: Ensure Your Goals Are Achievable
Setting an achievable goal is crucial to maintaining motivation and avoiding burn-out. While it’s essential to stretch your capabilities, your goals should still be realistic and attainable. Assess your current circumstances, resources and skills, and consider any potential barriers and how you might overcome them.
For instance, if your goal is to become a C-level executive in a year without prior management experience, then you might need to adjust your expectations. You can start by breaking down that larger ambition into smaller, more manageable milestones that will build your skills and experience over time.
4: Make Your Goals Relevant
Relevance ensures that your goals align with your broader career aspirations and values.
Let’s say that you aspire to become a marketing director. So, a relevant goal might be to gain experience in digital marketing by completing an online university course.
Ask yourself questions to assess relevance, such as “How does this goal fit into my long-term career plans?” or “Will achieving this goal bring me closer to my ultimate career objectives?”
5: Set a Time Frame
The final element of SMART goals is the time-bound aspect. Setting a deadline for achieving milestones or tasks related to your goals creates a sense of urgency and aids in determining your priorities.
Imagine you have an aim to improve your public speaking skills. This is an open-ended goal, one that lacks a time frame. So, refine it by specifying a time frame: “I will deliver a presentation at the next company meeting in three months.”
6. Putting It All Together
Now that you understand the SMART criteria, it’s time to put it all together. Let’s say that your overarching career goal is to become a team leader in your department. A SMART goal could ultimately look like this:
“By the end of this fiscal year, I will lead at least two team projects, receive positive feedback from my team members and complete a leadership training program to enhance my management skills.”
A SMART Path to Success!
Setting SMART goals is a powerful method for driving your career forward. By following this guide, you can create a structured approach to goal-setting that not only clarifies your aspirations, but also paves the way for actionable steps toward achieving them.
Remember, you need to regularly review and adjust your goals to keep you aligned with your evolving career path. That way, you ensure sustained growth and fulfillment in your professional journey. Good luck!