Goal SettingGoal Setting

Business ProceduresBusiness Procedures

Why is goal setting important?Why is goal setting important?

They give us a sense of direction.They give us a sense of direction. They motivate us to achieve.They motivate us to achieve. They make us feel good about They make us feel good about

ourselves and what we do.ourselves and what we do. They point out strengths.They point out strengths. They make us aware of our They make us aware of our

weaknesses.weaknesses.

Types of GoalsTypes of Goals

Long-termLong-term Short-termShort-term

Long-TermLong-Term

Time = more than 1 weekTime = more than 1 week Usually life-changingUsually life-changing These goals are the “big picture”These goals are the “big picture”

Short-TermShort-Term

Time = Less than one weekTime = Less than one week ““Stepping Stones” to Long-termStepping Stones” to Long-term

Defining SMART GoalsDefining SMART Goals

SS = specific = specific

MM = measurable = measurable

AA = attainable = attainable

RR = realistic = realistic

TT = Timely = Timely

SSpecificpecific

Goals should be straightforward Goals should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to and emphasize what you want to happen. happen. Specifics help us Specifics help us focus our focus our effortsefforts and and clearly define what clearly define what we are going to dowe are going to do..

SSpecificpecific

To set a specific goal you must To set a specific goal you must answer the six "W" questions: answer the six "W" questions: WhoWhoWhatWhatWhereWhereWhenWhenWhichWhichWhyWhy

SSpecificpecific

EXAMPLE:    EXAMPLE:   

A general goal would be, "Get in A general goal would be, "Get in shape." shape."

But a But a SSpecific goal would say, pecific goal would say, "Join a health club and workout 3 "Join a health club and workout 3 days a week." days a week."

MMeasurableeasurable

Establish concrete criteria for Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. attainment of each goal you set.

Choose a goal with measurable Choose a goal with measurable progress, progress, so you can see the so you can see the change occurchange occur..

MMeasurableeasurable

To determine if your goal is To determine if your goal is measurable, ask questions such measurable, ask questions such as......as...... How much? How much? How many? How many? How will I know when it is How will I know when it is

accomplished? accomplished? If you can't measure it, you If you can't measure it, you

can't manage it.can't manage it.

AAttainablettainable

When you identify goals that are When you identify goals that are most important to you, you most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. make them come true.

You can attain most any goal You can attain most any goal you set when you plan your you set when you plan your steps wisely and establish a steps wisely and establish a time frame that allows you to time frame that allows you to carry out those steps. carry out those steps.

AAttainablettainable

When you list your goals you When you list your goals you build your self-image. build your self-image.

  A goal needs to stretch you A goal needs to stretch you slightly so you feel you can slightly so you feel you can do it and it will need a real do it and it will need a real commitment from you.commitment from you.

RRealisticealistic

  This is not a synonym for This is not a synonym for "easy.""easy." Realistic, in this case, Realistic, in this case, means means "do-able.""do-able."

A high goal is frequently easier A high goal is frequently easier to reach than a low one because to reach than a low one because a low goal exerts low a low goal exerts low motivational force. motivational force.

RRealisticealistic

To be realistic, a goal must To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward represent an objective toward which you are both which you are both willingwilling and and ableable to work. to work.

Your goal is probably realistic if Your goal is probably realistic if you truly you truly believebelieve that it can be that it can be accomplished. accomplished.

TTimelyimely

A goal should be grounded A goal should be grounded within a time frame. within a time frame.

Putting an end point on your Putting an end point on your goal gives you a goal gives you a clear targetclear target to to work towards.work towards.

With no time frame tied to it With no time frame tied to it there's no sense of urgency. there's no sense of urgency.

TTimelyimely

TT can also stand for can also stand for TangibleTangible A goal is tangible when you can A goal is tangible when you can

experience it with one of the experience it with one of the senses, that is, taste, touch, senses, that is, taste, touch, smell, sight or hearing. smell, sight or hearing.

When your goal is tangible you When your goal is tangible you have a better chance of making it have a better chance of making it specific and measurable and specific and measurable and thus attainable. thus attainable.

S.M.A.R.TS.M.A.R.T Goal Samples Goal Samples

My goal is to earn a higher My goal is to earn a higher salary.salary.

My goal is to make a minimum of My goal is to make a minimum of 50K (including bonuses) by 2010 by 50K (including bonuses) by 2010 by taking professional development taking professional development courses on leadership, applying for courses on leadership, applying for leadership positions within my leadership positions within my company and talking to my company and talking to my supervisor and HR representative so supervisor and HR representative so they are aware of my goal.they are aware of my goal.

SampleSample

To learn Access database software To learn Access database software by the end of the 1by the end of the 1stst quarter. quarter.

To develop a customer database To develop a customer database using Access software that will using Access software that will include customers’ demographic and include customers’ demographic and contact information. The database contact information. The database will be tested by the end of the 1will be tested by the end of the 1stst quarter and implemented for quarter and implemented for department use by May 15. This will department use by May 15. This will allow department to more readily allow department to more readily contact customers when needed.contact customers when needed.

ActivityActivity

On a sheet of paper, re-write the On a sheet of paper, re-write the following goals using the following goals using the S.M.A.R.T. guidelines.S.M.A.R.T. guidelines. Finishing assignmentsFinishing assignments Finding a Prom dateFinding a Prom date Go to CollegeGo to College Get a JobGet a Job