Setting short-term SMART goals is an excellent way to achieve quick wins on your path to personal development. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, which ensures that your goals are clear and reachable. Below, we present three diverse examples to inspire you.
Imagine you want to improve your physical health but find it hard to stick to a routine. A short-term SMART goal can help you stay focused and motivated.
Your goal could be to complete a 30-minute workout every day for the next two weeks. This is specific because it tells you exactly what to do, measurable since you can track each day’s workout, achievable as most people can find half an hour, relevant to your overall health goals, and time-bound within the two-week period.
Example: “I will exercise for 30 minutes every day for the next 14 days.”
_Note: You can vary the type of exercise to keep things interesting. For instance, alternate between jogging, yoga, and strength training._
If you’re interested in expanding your knowledge but struggle to find the time, setting a reading goal can be a great way to make progress.
A short-term SMART goal in this case might be to read one book on personal development within the next month. This goal is specific (reading one book), measurable (you can track pages or chapters), achievable (most people can find time to read a book in a month), relevant (it contributes to your personal growth), and time-bound (you have a set deadline of one month).
Example: “I will read one personal development book by the end of this month.”
_Note: Consider breaking the book into weekly chapters for easier tracking and to keep you motivated._
If you often feel overwhelmed by tasks, improving your time management can enhance your productivity significantly.
A practical short-term SMART goal could be to implement a new productivity technique, like the Pomodoro Technique, for the next three weeks. This goal is specific (using a clear technique), measurable (you can count the number of sessions completed), achievable (it’s a simple method to implement), relevant (it addresses your concern about time management), and time-bound (you’re committing to it for three weeks).
Example: “I will practice the Pomodoro Technique for 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break, five times a week for the next three weeks.”
_Note: After you complete the three weeks, evaluate how it has affected your productivity and consider adjusting your approach if needed._