Setting goals for yourself is the first step towards accomplishing great things. But what happens when it comes to actually achieving these goals you’ve set out for yourself? It can be easy to say “I want to become an expert in digital marketing” or “I’m going to perform better in my role at work” but it’s not helpful to have vague goals with no framework. This is where SMART goals can help.
As a part of our apprenticeships, we encourage our learners to use SMART goals to help them plan out their tasks. This framework dates back to the early 80s and isn’t just for academic goals but can help towards professional and personal development as well. But what makes something a SMART goal?
What are SMART Goals?
SMART is an acronym standing for:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Timely
Each element of the SMART criteria ensures that your goals are clearly defined and well-structured, making it easier to break down complex tasks into actionable steps. Let’s take a closer look at each component:
1. Specific
Your goals should be clear and unambiguous. What exactly do you want to accomplish? What is the success criteria? An ambiguous goal can be a good starting point but putting that goal into action can be difficult without specifics. This can be especially important when doing coursework during your apprenticeship. Say you’re tasked with building a website as a part of a Digital Marketing course, it’s no good setting your goal as “I will build a website”. Being specific about the goals of the site, how many pages it’s going to have, and what content it contains would help you in the long run.
2. Measurable
Your goal should have quantifiable criteria that allow you to track progress and determine when it’s been achieved. This can help you stay focused and understand how close you are to achieving what you’ve set out. It’s a great way to stay motivated. When doing your apprenticeship, it’s a great idea to keep track of how many modules you’ve completed so you can keep focused on what you’ve achieved so far.
3. Achievable
While goals should challenge you, they should also be realistic. Setting an impossible goal can lead to frustration, while a too-easy goal won’t help you grow. Consider the resources and time you have before setting a goal. There’s no point in going straight for a Level 5 Health and Social Care course when a Level 2 course in the same area would be achievable to a beginner.
4. Relevant
Make sure your SMART goals are relevant to your overall goals in the area you’re making them in. Is what you want to achieve worthwhile? Does it contribute to your long-term vision? If they aren’t you may just be looking for something to procrastinate with, instead of achieving your actual goals. While it might seem like a good idea to set a goal to learn how to code HTML, it’s not going to help you achieve your Horse Care apprenticeship.
5. Timely
You want to make sure your goal has an appropriate timeline for completion. While want to do things quickly, remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Make sure you give yourself enough time to complete your modules, but don’t give yourself too much time and you might end up never completing it. Remember, most apprenticeships take 16 months, which might seem like a long time, but it goes a lot quicker than you expect it to.
Why Should You Be Using SMART Goals?
One of the biggest benefits of using SMART goals is the clarity it brings to your objectives. Instead of vague, general goals that can lead to confusion, SMART goals provide a clear direction for what you want to achieve. This focus allows you to make steady progress and avoid wasting time on irrelevant tasks.
SMART goals are also a great motivator. Every time you make progress or hit a milestone; you’ll actually feel like you’ve accomplished something. They can also keep you accountable, as your goals are time-bound by the deadline you’ve set.
Incorporating SMART goals into your work life is a game-changer. By ensuring your goals are well-defined and structured, you set yourself up for success.
