When you have a plan, set a goal or outcome, if you have the correct intensions, objectives in place, you will have a greater chance of achieving what you want. Be SMART.
An model, the S.M.A.R.T. Model, can be used to help you become aware of if you have all the steps or objectives in place to meet your outcomes or goals. The acronym stands for :-
S Specific
M Measurable
A Achievable, Attainable
R Realistic
T Timely, Time-bound
SPECIFIC
What you wish to achieve, should be concrete, you should define and detail the outcome or goal, to know what you want.
Consider the following questions to being specific :-
- WHO is going to do this, and will be responsible?
- WHAT is to be achieved?
- WHERE will this take place?
- WHY are you doing this?
- WHEN do you want to do this and to be completed?
- HOW are you going to do this?
MEASURABLE
Can you see or measure the progress you are achieving and when you have completed the task?
If you plan to read three books in a week to research a subject, how will you know as each day passes that you have read so many pages, chapters, or a book? How will you know you have read the three books at the end of the week?
ACHIEVABLE
Another word could be attainable, is the goal or outcome within your reach?
Have you got the right resources available to you, have you enough knowledge? Is the time-frame correct, have you given yourself enough time, or is the time too long that you loose motivation and have no commitment?
REALISTIC
Can the outcome be achieved? Is it physically possible to do this? Have you all the resources available to you, finance, materials, do they exist? At this time it is not realistic to build a house on the Moon.
TIMELY
Another word can be time-bound. Have you set a timetable or deadline to achieve the outcome or goal?
Is the time the correct time to do the task? Skiing in the Scotish mountains in the summer months is not feasable as there will be no snow.
Do you wish to loose 20lbs in weight? To do it in one week is not timely, you have not allowed enough time.
Time must be measurable, attainable and realistic.
Be S.M.A.R.T. use the SMART Model on all you do, and be aware of it when working with others, setting tasks for your employees, your students, your coaching clients.