Leadership Skills

Setting Goals

Plan your work, and work your plan is a quote attributed to many different people, and it appears to go back to the 1880s. The meaning is that once you have a plan, then you simply put forth effort on that plan. If life were only so simple.

Planning work is much more difficult than getting out of bed in the morning with the intention of answering all of those emails, completing the projects, and finding time for meals and free time before going back to bed. Other priorities and unexpected interruptions get in the way.

One way to complete goals is to write them down and keep them in front of you at all times. The best goals are ones that are measurable so that you know when you have reached them. A goal of going to college is a nice goal, but what is the purpose? The goal of going to college could be completed in one term by only taking one course. A better goal would put some parameters around going to college

SMART goals

One way to set goals is by using the specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART) method.

Specific. Clearly defined. The goal should be stated in a way that even those who are not involved with it can understand the purpose. For the previous example of going to college, it could be stated that you are going to Blue Mountain Community College to receive a Business Management Associate of Arts in Science degree.
Measurable. This should include some numerical measurement such as percentage of change, length of time, measures of units, etc. For the college example, there could be several measures: 1) completing the degree within 2 (or 3) years, 2) being on the dean’s or president’s list at least X-number of times, or 3) maintaining a B average each term.
Achievable. The goal can reasonably be expected to be met. Expecting to swim the English Channel in a month when you do not know how to swim is unachievable. If you have a high school diploma and understand financial aid, expecting to complete a degree would be achievable.
Realistic. Is there enough time and adequate resources for this goal to be achieved? If the project requires money and the team has no funding or access to funds, then it would not be realistic. If you have the time and finances (or financial aid) to go to college, completing a degree would be realistic.
Time-bound. A good goal should have time parameters, or an ending date. Within measurable above, there was a 2 (or 3) year time period. Having the ending date stated creates urgency to progress towards the end. Having a floating end-date does not push anyone to move towards completion.

Some have suggested adding two more to this list to make SMARTER goals.

Evaluated. This would add an intentional reflection and evaluation of the process towards the goal. This evaluation would be continuous to allow for changes.
Revise. Naturally, if you will be evaluating the goal as you progress, you should make changes and revisions as needed.

DUMB Goals

These goals are not for most teams, but they are worth mentioning. Dangerously Unattainable, Monstrously Big (DUMB) goals can be exciting. These are the type of pie-in-the-sky goals that may never happen, but they could happen. DUMB goals are the ones that allow you to reach for the moon by investing, starting a business, or taking a risk.

Leading & Motivating
Home Page

Velda Arnaud, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Lead, Educate, Serve Society
leadeducateserve@gmail.com