XL Future Leaders Programme: Year 1 Module 1

SMART Goal Setting

Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination - Fitzhugh Dodson

IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL GOAL SETTING

Let us take a scenario where you have stepped out of your house and have started walking. Now, would you keep walking and never stop? No, right? You will definitely stop at some other place because you know your destination and you stop when you reach your goal. This is the same for your dreams; you have set off on the XceL programme because you want to be successful and make a contribution to your world, but this isn’t possible without precise goals, or steps, along your journey.

Personal goal setting is important at all the stages of your life as they determine a certain direction on which to focus your time and energy. Setting personal goals benefits you in many ways. First of all, it gives a clear direction and a purpose to your efforts. Secondly, your self-esteem increases and you feel more confident as you meet your goals. Also, they ensure you make best use of limited time and help you take steady steps towards success. Moreover, your stress levels decrease as you know what to work towards and how much to work. Once you know your goal, you can dedicate yourself completely to it and concentrate on working in a more efficient manner, which in turn results in improved performance. Finally, with the completion of your goals, you are contented and confident.

TYPES OF PERSONAL GOALS

Long-term personal goals are often aspirational and are the ‘success milestones’ we would like to achieve in the future. They include goals such as gaining a first class degree in three years’ time, being a confident and successful middle-manager in five years’ time, or being able to support a family in ten years’ time. These aspirational targets are then broken down into short-term and medium-term personal goals. With a long term goal like gaining a first class degree, a medium-term goal could be to achieve what is required to gain a first by the end of Year 1; your short-term goals could include finding out what is required, evaluating your strengths and weaknesses in the required subjects, attending seminars for weaker areas, achieving the appropriate assessments, etc. Goal setting is all about breaking your aspirations into manageable chunks which you then break down into achievable steps.

Setting SMART goals

Setting goals is a commitment to you; it is an important life tool that should be taken seriously. Let us discuss another technique that will help you set effective goals.

The best way to actually formulate your goals is to utilize SMART goal setting. A smart goal is one that is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound.

SMART goals ensure that all your objectives include all the key elements to maximize your goal setting success. When you use SMART goal setting you will find that it is easier for you to stay on track with your various goals in all areas of your life.

Essentially SMART stands for:

S=Specific ● It is more likely that a specific clearly-stated goal will be accomplished than a general goal.

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XL Future Leaders Programme: Year 1 Module 1

To help create a specific goal, ask yourself the following questions. Who is involved? What do I want to accomplish? When is my deadline? Which requirements or constraints should I consider? Why do I want to accomplish this goal? Keep it simple, but ensure it also stretches you.

M = Measurable

● Goals need to be measurable so that there are benchmarks of attainment. When your goals are measurable you are more likely to stay on track and reach certain milestones which give you that boost of confidence to press on. This keeps your goals manageable and motivates you along your journey.

A = Attainable● Keep your goals within your control. If you set goals that are too ambitious, you will set

yourself up for failure. Having attainable goals is also about identifying goals that are truly important to you and should be aspirational as well as achievable.

R = Realistic

● Make sure that you set goals that you are both willing and able to achieve. It is important that you are able to make substantial progress toward your goal. Goals should be relevant to where you are in your life and you need to ensure you have access to the right resources to achieve them.

T = Timely● Goals need a time frame attached to them. There needs to be a sense of urgency. A goal

that you can taste, touch, smell, see or hear is tangible and is more defined. This will make that goal more attainable.

To ensure your goals are SMARTER, aim to Evaluate your goals to ensure they are ethical and enjoyable and keep Re-visiting and Re-evaluating them to ensure they are leading you towards your long term goal.

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