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SMART Goals

George Doran

SMART Goals are a framework for setting objectives that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Here's how each component works:

Specific: Clearly define what you want to accomplish. Instead of saying "I want to get fit," say "I want to run a 5K in under 30 minutes."

Measurable: Make sure you can track your progress. Using the fitness example, you could measure your speed and distance during each training session.

Achievable: Ensure your goal is realistic given your resources and constraints. If you've never run before, aiming for a marathon in a month is likely not achievable.

Relevant: The goal should align with your broader objectives and life situation. If you're aiming for overall health, a running goal could be highly relevant.

Time-bound: Set a deadline to keep yourself accountable. You might aim to run that 5K in under 30 minutes within the next six months.

By setting SMART Goals, you create a structured and trackable path toward achieving your objectives, making it easier to focus and measure your progress.