SMAART Foundation

Goals that are specific have a significantly greater chance of being accomplished. To make a SMAART Goal specific, consider the six "W" questions:

• What is it that I want to accomplish?
• Why is this goal important to me?
• Who are the stakeholders involved in this?
• Where is this goal going to be achieved?
• Which resources will I use here?
• When do I want to achieve this goal?

Measurable Goal must have criteria for measuring progress. If there are no criteria, you will not be able to determine your progress and if you are on track to reach your goal. To make a goal measurable, ask yourself:

• How many/much?
• How do I know if I have reached my goal?
• What is my indicator of progress?

Accountable Goal must have criteria for measuring Accountability. Responsibility is task-oriented. To held accountability measurable, ask yourself:

• Did I meet the timelines that were assigned to me?
• Did I take responsibility for my mistakes and work to correct them?
• Did I follow through on commitments I made to my class?
• Did I take ownership of my role in achieving my assigned goals?
• Did I work collaboratively with my peers to achieve shared goals?
• Did I take initiative and go beyond my assigned tasks to contribute to the success of the shared goal?
• Did I demonstrate a commitment to quality and excellence in my work?
• Did I hold myself accountable for the outcomes of my work?
• When do I accomplish this task?
• Where do I see myself halfway down the line?
• What should be the kind of progress that I display?
• Which daily tasks do I need to do to make sure I achieve my goal on time?
• What are the deadlines for different milestones?

Achievable Goal must be achievable and attainable. This will help you figure out ways you can realize that goal and work towards it. The achievability of the goal should be stretched to make you feel challenged, but defined well enough that you can actually achieve it. Ask yourself:

• How do I accomplish this goal?
• Is my goal achievable?
• Do I have the resources and capabilities to achieve the goal? If not, what am I missing?
• Have others done it successfully before?

Realistic Goal must be realistic in that the goal can be realistically achieved given the available resources and time. A SMAART goal is likely realistic if you believe that it can be accomplished. Ask yourself:

• Is this goal worthwhile for me?
• Am I in the right place to achieve this?
• Does this goal align well with my other goals?
• Am I the right person to pursue this goal?
• Does this goal apply to the current scenario?
• Is the goal realistic and within reach?
• Is the goal reachable, given the time and resources?
• Are you able to commit to achieving the goal?

Transformative Goal is a dramatic change in form or appearance with a clearly defined path having an end/destination toward which effort is directed. If the goal does not transform from your present being state to the person you desire to be, there will be no sense of your ultimate purpose. Ask yourself:

• What would you like to change about your current situation?
• What skills and talents do you want to develop further?
• How would you like to utilise your learned skills and talents?
• What makes you feel most fulfilled in your activities?
• What are your biggest challenges or obstacles?
• What are your biggest fears?
• What motivates you?
• What do you think is possible for you?