Setting goals: S.M.A.R.T Goals

It has been a couple of weeks since we finished reading Emil and the Detectives, but we are still having a lot of fun discussing and reflecting on the book. One such discussion was around the great effort Emil and his friends put in to achieve their goal. Emil and his friends had set a goal that they will all work together to help Emil retrieve his money that was stolen and also to report the thief to the police. This could have been a dangerous adventure but Emil and his friends carefully planned what actions to take to achieve their goal and then started executing their plan.

Setting a goal is just one step, we also need to plan it effectively so we can achieve our goals. So how can we plan and set goals so that we want to achieve? As it is often said, “A goal without a plan is just a dream.” There are many theories and formulas one can use to set goals and a S.M.A.R.T goal is one strategy we can use to plan set goals.

S.M.A.R.T is an acronym which means each letter stands for something. Let’s have a look at what they mean?

S stands for Specific. When choosing a goal, be as specific and clear as you can be. For example, if you’d like to learn how to cook, try setting a goal to learn how to cook pancakes. Setting a specific goal clarifies exactly what you are wanting to achieve.

M stands for Measurable. Having measures in place will help you understand when the goal you have set for yourself has been accomplished.

A stands for Actions. What actions can we take to achieve our goals? Again, try to be as specific and clear as you can to jot down all the actions. You can make a list of things you need to do which you can tick as you go along completing these actions. I love this bit. As I tick the things I have done, I feel great because I am getting closer to my goal! You should also check regularly if your actions are bringing you closer to your goal or whether you are drifting away from your goal. If you are drifting away, then it is time to go through your list of actions again. You can always ask for help from a friend or an adult to review your list of things to do.

R stands for Relevant. While you plan for achieving your goal, ask yourself why do you want to achieve this goal? This will be guide you throughout your journey and knowing why you are working towards a goal will give you encouragement and motivation.

T stands for Time. Regardless of the size of your goal, it is very important to set a deadline so that you know when you are going to accomplish your goal. Or else, we might get distracted or we might get busy with another activity and we might forget this goal altogether.

Example: Setting S.M.A.R.T Goals

Now that we know how S.M.A.R.T goal works, let’s have a look at an example of the activity we did as a group in setting a goal. This group wanted to improve their reading skills so they set a goal “to read the book, Emil and the Detectives on their own without any help with difficult words in the book.”

Activity: Setting S.M.A.R.T Goals

Here are some examples as ideas for a goal. Now use the template below to set your own goals.