Setting Goals The Setting Goals The “SMART” Way“SMART” Way

Presented by Riverside City College Presented by Riverside City College Counseling DepartmentCounseling Department

SETTING GOALSSETTING GOALSMake your goals Make your goals

“SMART”“SMART”

SS = Specific= SpecificMM = Measurable= MeasurableAA = Attainable= AttainableRR = Realistic= RealisticTT = Timely= Timely

SSPECIFICPECIFIC Specific = WHAT, WHY, HOWSpecific = WHAT, WHY, HOW WHAT – Are you going to do? WHAT – Are you going to do?

Use action words – organize, Use action words – organize, develop, coordinate, etc.develop, coordinate, etc.

WHY – is this important? WHY – is this important? HOW – are you going to HOW – are you going to

accomplish this? accomplish this?

Make the goal specific, clear, and Make the goal specific, clear, and easy!easy!

MMEASURABLEEASURABLE

Measurable GoalMeasurable Goal: “I want to : “I want to lose 10 pounds by June 1lose 10 pounds by June 1stst.” .”

Not MeasurableNot Measurable: “: “I want to I want to become healthier.”become healthier.”

Measurable GoalMeasurable Goal: “I want to : “I want to read 50 pages by Thursday.”read 50 pages by Thursday.”

Not Measureable:Not Measureable: “I want to “I want to become a better reader.”become a better reader.”

It has to be measurable or you won’t It has to be measurable or you won’t be able to tell if goal the has been be able to tell if goal the has been

met.met.

AATTAINABLETTAINABLE When you identify goals When you identify goals

that are important to you, that are important to you, you find ways to make them you find ways to make them happen.happen.

If the goals you choose are If the goals you choose are “out of reach”, you won’t “out of reach”, you won’t commit to making that goal commit to making that goal a reality.a reality.

RREALISTICEALISTIC Realistic means “do-able”.Realistic means “do-able”. If the goal is unrealistic, you If the goal is unrealistic, you

set yourself up for failure.set yourself up for failure. Realistic GoalRealistic Goal: I am going to : I am going to

pass all of my classes each pass all of my classes each semester.semester.

Unrealistic GoalUnrealistic Goal: I will only : I will only get straight A’s each get straight A’s each semester.semester.

TTIMELYIMELY Set a timeframe – next Set a timeframe – next

week, in three months, by week, in three months, by June 1June 1stst, etc., etc.

If you don’t set a timeframe If you don’t set a timeframe – the goal is vague. – the goal is vague.

Without a time limit – you Without a time limit – you feel you can start working feel you can start working towards the goal at towards the goal at anytime.anytime.

HANDOUT - HANDOUT - ACTIVITYACTIVITY

PERSONAL GOAL CONTRACT FOR: ___________________________________

High-achieving individuals tend to be goal-oriented and motivated by the vision of what they want to accomplish. Effective goals have five components. As the goal is written, continually check whether the five “SMART” elements are met.

S = Specific M=Measurable A=Achievable

R=Realistic T=Truthful

Write three personal or professional goals you want to accomplish within the next year: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Choose the goal you want to accomplish immediately. Write the goal using the five components of “SMART” goal setting. MY GOAL: I will: _______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________

DATE: I plan to start this goal on: ______________________________________ DATE: I plan to achieve this goal by: ____________________________________ I will evaluate my success in accomplishing this goal by: _____________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SPECIFIC: The goal should be written in very specific, concrete terms. A “what (what is it you’re trying to accomplish?) and a “when” (by when do you plan to achieve it?) are included.

MEASUREABLE: There should by a way to evaluate whether the goal was attained.

HANDOUT - HANDOUT - ACTIVITYACTIVITY

The steps I need to take to achieve my goal are: Step a: _____________________________________________________________ Step b: _____________________________________________________________ Step c: _____________________________________________________________ Step d: _____________________________________________________________ Who or what I need to help me achieve my goal: ____________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Reread the goal you wish to achieve. Answer the following questions: _____ Do I have control over achieving this goal? _____ Is it totally within my power to accomplish this goal? List any circumstances that may impede the attainment of your goal: ____________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do I have the power or control to deal with these circumstances? If you answer “no” to any of these questions, reread the goal to seriously determine if this is the best choice or is your should rethink your goal. Finally, ask yourself: “Do I really want to achieve this goal?”

Signature: ______________________________ Date: ______________

“Champions know there are no shortcuts to the top. They climb the mountain one step at a time.”

“Success stops when you do!”

ACHIEVABLE: Goals that are challenging but attainable get the best results. The goals should be broken into easily achievable objectives.

REALISTIC: The individual must have personal control over achieving the goal. Do you?

TRUTHFUL: Individuals are more motivated to achieve goals that are meaningful to them.