SMART Goals x Avoiding Burnout
- Everything Jasmine
- Jan 1, 2021
- 4 min read
Most people want to see some kind of change or improvement in their lives, especially at the beginning of a new year. Setting goals is an effective way to increase motivation and to help get you started on making those changes. However, a common question I get is usually how do you avoid burning out or losing the passion for your goals. Well, all too often I see people struggle because their goals are not SMART goals.
I have had the opportunity to work with recently incarcerated individuals to achieve some incredible goals by using the SMART guide. I have used this guide to assist people in enrolling in junior college or a 4 year university, finding employment with a criminal history, building prosocial support network, and becoming more involved with their families and a responsible member of society. None of these things are actually easy to achieve. These things take time, patience, and work. Moreover, it takes setting small, achievable goals that are in alignment with your values. So let's first discuss what a SMART goal is.
SMART is an acronym that you can use to guide your goal setting. Its criteria are commonly attributed to Peter Drucker's Management by Objectives (MBO) through his book "The Practice of Management" . Peter Drucker is often considered to be the father of modern corporate management and the most influential corporate guru. Therefore, SMART goals are commonly used in performance management to help evaluate whether goals and targets set for employees can be fulfilled. However, aside from industrial and organizational use, SMART goals can be extremely effective for personal goals.
Specific. What do you want to accomplish? How simple can you make your steps to get there? The goal should be clear and specific enough that if anyone were to read it they would know exactly what you want to achieve and how you plan to get there, or at least the first 3 action steps you would take to get there.
Measurable. How will you track your progress? Having a way to track your progress is the part that keeps you motivated to keep going. It is important to celebrate each small milestone along the way.
Achievable. Is it realistic and attainable? What parts of achieving this goal is in your control and which parts are out of your control? It is okay to set goals that you know will be challenging, but it must be something that you think is possible and reasonable. Set goals that are practical for you and your circumstances. This is your opportunity to really assess what may have to be accomplished first before beginning this goal, such as financial factors or questions that you have not found answers to yet. Goals that are too difficult can be discouraging and may lead to giving up. Smaller steps are better and more sustainable for making long lasting change.
Relevant. Why do you want to achieve this goal? Is it the right time? This question allows you to assess other life areas and to assure that it also aligns with other relevant goals. For some, this is when you would also want to communicate with your significant other about your goals and any concerns that may come up. For example, taking on a promotion may mean less time at home or spending quality time with family. It also allows you to assess what your motive really is. Is it something you want to do, that aligns with your values and beliefs? Or is it something that you have been persuaded to do by someone else?
Time-related. When do you want to reach your goal by? Every goal needs a target date. This will help prevent everyday tasks from taking priority over long-term goals. It will also help you evaluate what you can do today, a week from now, 6 weeks from now, 6 months from now, & eventually 1 year from now.
Other tips:
Aside from the SMART acronym it is important to be mindful of how you are communicating about your goals with yourself and others. Eliminate the word "try" from your vocabulary. Instead use the statement "I will...".
Also when setting your goal it is advised that you write it out in a concise yet detailed format with your first 3 action steps. These action steps should be VERY basic and simple. Examples of this could be scheduling an appointment, researching your unanswered questions, reaching out to a family member/friend, etc.
Here are some examples of goals that are NOT SMART goals:
- I am going to increase my savings.
- I will be at a healthy weight.
- I will do better in school.
- I will get a job.
Of course these are things we want to achieve, but these do not fit the criteria of a SMART goal. A better example of SMART goals would look something like:
- I will complete 2 college applications by 11/1/2021 for early admission and to avoid
rushing through any work.
- I will update my resume with relevant qualifications so I can apply to 2 open positions for (whatever job title you are searching for) by 1/24/2021.
- I will complete all my assignments at least one day before they are due to avoid rushing through any work. I will list all of my assignments in a calendar to make sure I am aware of all due dates.
- I will meet with my teachers individually within the first two weeks of school so I can feel comfortable going to them and participating in class throughout the semester.
- I will increase my daily activity by exercising for 20-30 minutes at least 4 days per week for one month.
It is important to realize that goals are meant to be reevaluated and updated at least once a month. Your goals are too valuable to make and then hide away until the end of the year. Lastly, don't forget to award yourself for each accomplishment and enjoy the process, not just the outcome!
SMART is an effective tool that provides the clarity, focus, and motivation you need to achieve your goals. The following links are templates that you can use as you rewrite those New Years goals in a SMART way!
Happy New Year!
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