An achievable SMART goal is a goal that is realistic and attainable with the resources, time, and skills available, falling within the realm of possibility given current constraints. It is not merely a wish, but a challenge that can be met with effort and planning.
Here's a breakdown of "Achievable" within the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound):
- Feasibility: The goal must be possible to achieve considering your current situation. This means assessing available resources like time, money, skills, and support.
- Realistic Challenges: While achievable, the goal should still present a challenge. It shouldn't be too easy, as that won't foster growth. The level of challenge should be appropriately aligned with your capabilities and resources.
- Action Plan Alignment: An achievable goal typically has a clear path forward. You can envision the steps required to reach the goal, even if those steps require learning new skills or seeking assistance.
- Avoid Overstretch: The goal shouldn’t stretch you so thin that you become demoralized or risk failure.
Why is Achievability Important?
Setting achievable goals is crucial for:
- Motivation: Reaching small milestones along the way builds momentum and keeps you motivated to pursue the overall goal.
- Confidence: Successfully achieving goals boosts your self-esteem and confidence, making you more likely to tackle future challenges.
- Resource Allocation: Achievability forces you to realistically assess resources, preventing wasted effort on unattainable objectives.
- Preventing Burnout: Consistently striving for unrealistic goals leads to frustration and burnout, which negatively impacts productivity and well-being.
Examples of Adjusting Goals for Achievability:
Let's say someone wants to "Write a novel."
- Not Achievable: "Write a novel in one month while working full-time and managing a family." (Unrealistic timeframe and workload.)
- Achievable: "Write 500 words of my novel every day for six months while working full-time and managing a family." (Breaks down the task into manageable daily increments and considers existing commitments).
Another example:
- Not Achievable: "Learn to speak fluent Mandarin in three months." (Fluency typically takes much longer.)
- Achievable: "Learn basic Mandarin phrases and hold a simple conversation within three months." (Sets a more realistic and measurable objective).
Key Questions to Assess Achievability:
Before committing to a goal, ask yourself:
- Do I have the necessary skills or can I acquire them?
- Do I have enough time to dedicate to this goal?
- Are there any obstacles that might prevent me from achieving this goal, and how can I overcome them?
- Do I have the necessary resources (financial, technological, support system)?
By carefully considering these factors, you can ensure that your SMART goals are not only specific, measurable, relevant, and time-bound, but also realistically achievable.
