Specific — A specific and clear goal answers six questions. Who is involved in the goal? What do I want to do? Where do I start? When do I start and finish? Which means do I use? Why am I doing this?
Non-example: “I would learn to speak English”
Example: “I would learn to speak English fluently by joining coaching classes after my school every day, and in six months I will take part in the inter-school debate competition.”
Measurable — A measurable goal answers the questions “How much?”, “How many?” and “How do I know that I have achieved results?”
Non-example: “I want to increase my stamina.”
Example: “I want to reduce my weight by 5 kg and develop stamina to be able to run 10 km in 45 minutes in next six months.”
Achievable — Breaking down big goals into smaller parts will make the goal achievable. For example,
Bigger Goal: “I want to become a teacher in a school.”
Breaking it into smaller goals:
1. Complete higher secondary
2. Complete graduation
3. Complete B.Ed.
4. Apply for jobs in the teaching field
Realistic — A realistic goal would be something that we want and can work towards for achieving the goal.
Non-example: “I will read my entire year’s syllabus in one day and get good marks.”
Example: “I spend 3 hours every day of the year after school to revise my subjects to get good marks in the exams.”
Time bound — A SMART goal should have a timeframe, i.e., by when the goal needs to be achieved. This encourages us to take actions to completely fulfill the goals.
Non-example: “I want to lose 10 kg someday.”
Example: “I want to lose 10 kg in the next six months.”
