How to set SMART Goals Template and Guide

Learn how to set and complete your specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based goals.

Checklist for achieving a goal

Your SMART Goals


Too often, brands fail due to the lack of clarity and direction they need to accomplish their goals. Successful, value-driven business owners understand the importance of having exact, quantifiable, realistic, and time-based goals. The SMART Goals process is a valuable framework that provides you with the clarity, focus, and motivation you need to achieve all your dreams and goals. Stop missing your goals, feeling overwhelmed, and running in circles. Equip yourself with the necessary information you need to lead and succeed.

The SMART Goal process, used by many business leaders, is an exercise for planning and success. The SMART Goal acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based. Using this goal planning method can help you achieve your goals more efficiently and effectively. First introduced to us in the 1981 article: There's a SMART way to write management goals and objectives written by George Doran, Arthur Miller, and James Cunningham. Now that you know what a SMART goal is and why it matters, it's time to get started on setting your SMART goals. Whether you're setting goals for a personal achievement or the improvement of your business. It's essential to visualize what you want to achieve and then reverse-engineer into a concrete SMART goal.
When you complete your SMART Goals template and guide, you will:

  • Detail and specify your exact goals
  • Create clarity on what to focus on
  • Stay on track and organized
  • The ability to measure and manage your goals
  • Set realistic deadlines to complete your goals
  • Achieve your goals with ease
  • Bring your visions to life

    • 🎉 Let's Get Started

    It's essential to be as accurate as possible with the information you include in your SMART Goal planning work session. Use our free PDF to help guide you through the competition of the exercise.
    FREE SMART Goals Canvas Template and Guide.

    Getting started is simple! Download your FREE SMART Goals template and guide, grab a pen, and print out your FREE PDF. Kick-off your work session and take your next step towards improving your brand's authority with clarity, focus, and the information you need to succeed!

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    S — Specific
     Identify all the elements of your goals. Think about the why, what, who, and how of your goal. Your specific goal should be one you can clearly explain quickly, focusing on what you are looking to accomplish.

    Ask Yourself
    • What is your primary goal?
    • Why does this goal matter to you?
    • Who is involved, or will help you achieve your goal?
    • How can you do everything in your power to ensure you will achieve your goal?

    Remember
    When setting your goal, it’s important to remember to be as specific as possible. Using precise wording and actions will provide you with clarity and direction. A common mistake when setting SMART goals is vagueness, creating confusion later.
    M — Measurable
    It’s essential to be able to quantify and track your goals. Keeping track of the progress towards your goals will allow you to report and manage how far you’ve come since you set the plan. As well as how far you have left until you reach your goal. Some of your bigger goals will require a smaller project, task, and goals. Don’t lose focus on your primary end goal, but list all the smaller tasks included in helping you achieve your goal as well.

    Ask Yourself
    • How can I measure my achievements or milestones as I work towards completing my goal?

    Example 1.
    Let’s say you are looking to grow your business and hire your first employee.
    ❏ Step 1 — Identify the position you need most first
    ❏ Step 2 — Put together the roles and responsibilities
    ❏ Step 3 — Define Skillset Requirments
    ❏ Step 4 — Define Education and Experience Requirements
    ❏ Step 5 — Clearly state salary, benefits, and company information
    ❏ Step 6 — Post Job Application.

    Example 2.
    Let’s say you are looking to grow:
    ❏ Overall revenue each month by 5%
    ❏ LinkedIn by 15% each month
    ❏ Leads generated by 25% each quarter

    Remember
    Set measurable goals that you can easily track. Suppose it’s a goal that’s going to take a few months or years to complete. Set critical milestones by considering the specific tasks you need to accomplish.
    A — Attainable
    Be realistic and reasonable with your SMART Goals outcome.

    Ask Yourself
  • What is the probability that you can achieve your goal?
  • What is the probability that you can't achieve your happen?
  • Do I have the skillset or tools to complete the goal?
  • If not, what do you need to do to attain them?


    • Consider the Following
    As you set your attainable goals, aim high and within reason. For example, if your current goal is to increase your sales by 50% each quarter, but historically you only increase by 5% each quarter. That would be drastic growth. Keep morale high and set realistic and attainable goals.

    Remember
    Suppose you find that there are too many barriers stopping you from achieving your primary goal. Think about what you can do to break those barriers down into individual goals helping make your journey towards finding success and achieving your goals more of a possibility.
    R — Relevant
    Is your goal appropriate, and does it make sense? Your goal should be relevant to you and align with your overall goals in life. Think about the costs/benefits of your goal.

    Ask Yourself
  • Is it worth your time?
  • Is it worth your money?
  • Is it worth your energy?
  • Why are you setting this goal?
  • How does it impact my existing goals?


    • Remember
    Carefully considering the relevance of your goal will encourage you to factor in related variables. Such as other goals you may be working towards or the impact your goal has on the team you may need to achieve your goal.
    T — Time-based
    Setting a deadline to meet your goal will help prioritize your time appropriately. Think about how much time you will need to accomplish this goal. Without a timeline, you won’t determine if you are completing the tasks, keeping you on track towards achieving your ultimate goal. Plus, having a deadline will help keep you accountable.

    Ask Yourself
  • When can I complete this goal by?
  • How much can I accomplish in x amount of months?
  • How much can I accomplish in x amount of weeks?
  • What is my halfway milestone?
  • What can I do today to get closer to my goals?
  • What did I do today to get me closer to my goals?


    • Remember
    Be realistic when setting your deadline. Anyone can set goals, but if it lacks realistic timing, chances are you’re not going to succeed. Providing a target date for deliverables is imperative.
    Your Completed SMART Goals Template and Guide
    Now that you have a step-by-step framework to help you gain the clarity, focus, and motivation you need to plan and achieve your goals. It’s time for you to take charge of your future.

    Your Next Steps
    Now that you have a step-by-step framework to help you gain the clarity, focus, and motivation you need to plan and achieve your goals. It’s time for you to take charge of your future.

    If you’ve been following along and have completed our four previous PDF templates and guides. You know you are well equipped to execute your value-driven creative solutions, digital marketing, and website experience initiatives. Use all the information you have uncovered and detailed to your advantage. Capitalize on opportunities, break down your competition, and position your brand as an authority within your industry.

    If you have not, you can find all the resources here.
    The power to succeed in the palm of your hand.

    We understand how difficult it can be to stay organized with all your PDFs or exercise templates you use to influence your brand’s success. Stop feeling overwhelmed and unorganized. Use our FREE SMART Goal template for Notion and enjoy the power and structure to organize and improve your brand’s authority from the palm of your hand. Leaving you with the confidence, organization, and accessibility you deserve.

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    jerry hernandez