SMART is a mental model for setting high-quality goals. It uses five factors—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound—to evaluate goals and improve the quality of goal-setting, thereby making them more efficient to put into practice.
S stands for Specific. It means our goal is to keep getting better as we work—but how good is good? We need to set clear standards for what “good” means so we can put the goal into practice accordingly.
M stands for measurable, meaning you should be able to clearly assess how much progress you’ve made toward your goal: how much you’ve done and how much remains, how many steps you’ve completed and how many are left.
A stands for achievable, meaning the goal can be attained. The word “achievable” is especially important: a goal should be challenging, not so ambitious that it’s impossible or difficult to reach, and not so easy that success is guaranteed and there’s no point in setting it. Ideally, it should push the limits of your abilities—something you can reach through effort.
R stands for relevant. The goal should relate to your overall or ultimate objective. In other words, the result of what you’re doing now should make the next-level goal easier to achieve.
T stands for time-bound, meaning you set a deadline. Even if a goal doesn’t objectively need a specific completion date, having a point in time helps you keep things moving.
Relevant, specific, measurable, time-bound, achievable.
First, consider whether this matters to you. Then think about the specific steps to take, and whether you can get interim results and feedback along the way. You should know how much you’ve done and how much remains. Next, consider whether you can manage the timeline and how long it will take to finish. Finally, assess whether you can do it; if not, should you lower your standards, adjust the timeline, or do something else?
I want to be wealthier.
Relevance: Why would having money make me feel good? Life is all about enjoying yourself, so the big goal is fine. What should I do next?
Specific: Should I work hard to get promoted and earn more? Find another path and start my own business? Or take a middle ground and start a side hustle? I need to think through what to do next and choose a direction.
Measurable: Plan what to do at each stage and identify when you can start generating income and see visible progress, so you can build confidence and hope.
Time-bound: How long will it take me to achieve this goal? Before I turn 30, before I turn 40, before getting married, etc.
Achievable: Check whether this goal is truly within my ability to reach, or whether I am just dreaming. Compared with merely thinking at the outset, “I want to be richer,” this makes it easier to get myself to take action—or lie down.