Every day offers a new opportunity for growth and change. Making a change can be difficult, so setting SMART goals and benchmarks is imperative for success. The changes most people want to make do not resolve instantly, which is why crafting measurable goals are more likely to help you succeed in the long run. When you set SMART goals for yourself or your business, you set yourself up for success in achieving those goals.

Understanding SMART goals

SMART goals improve your strategy with detail. Such goals don’t merely state an action; they define what and how. For example, your traditional, vague goal to “increase sales” would specify, “increase online sales by 100% by Dec. 31, 2022, by improving sales by 10% each month over the next five months.”

SMART goals are:

S – Specific

Detail what you are trying to achieve and consider the who, what, where, how, and why. Use action words such as “improve,” “reduce,” or “increase” to specify the direction you want your results to move.

M – Measurable

Make sure your goal is trackable; determine evaluation methods. Consider the key metrics to determine if you meet the goal. If the overall project or goal will require a longer timeline, set milestones to accomplish specific tasks along the way.

A – Achievable

Goals should always be within brand, objectives, and resources. Make sure they’re challenging but attainable. This step will allow you to focus on this goal's importance and prompt you to consider if any new skills or tools are required to achieve your goals.

R – Relevant

Your goals should be related to your mission and strategic plan. For example, if your goal is to launch a new objective or product, this should fall within your organization or department’s broader business goals.

T – Time-bound

The worst deadline is no deadline. To hold yourself and your team accountable, provide a target date and key benchmarks for success. Providing a time constraint will add a sense of urgency and can help you stay on track.

Steps to achieving your SMART Goals

Step 1. Write down your SMART goals using GROWL’s guidelines above.

Keep your goals in an accessible place so you can review them often. Seeing your goals will help set you up for success by keeping you on track.

Step 2. Make sure your goals are relevant and on-brand

Craft goals that fit your vision and make sense for the brand. Keeping goals on-brand will help make goals achievable.

Step 3. Commit to your calendar

When setting time-bound goals, it is vital to be aware of your upcoming deadlines and manage your time in a way that allows you to meet them.

Step 4. Avoid comparisons

Although it is essential to look up to aspirational brands, avoid unfavorable comparisons. Staying focused on your goals will help you achieve success.

Step 5. Embrace failure

Your success is not defined by the final product alone but by the knowledge you gained throughout the process.

You can benefit both personally and professionally from setting SMART goals. Take the time to craft goals that fit these guidelines, then use these tips to achieve success.

Ready to crush your goals? Contact the GROWL Team.