This document outlines the SMART criteria for setting effective goals: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. It provides examples of weak goals and revised goals that meet each criterion. Specific goals clearly define the who, what, where, when, which, and why. Measurable goals establish criteria for tracking progress. Attainable goals are within one's abilities. Realistic goals are commitments one is willing and able to work towards. Time-bound goals have clear deadlines. Following the SMART guidelines helps create goals that motivate and guide progress.

1. Step Up, Ms. Quiñones

2.  Successful goals are usuallly:
 Specific
 Measurable
 Attainable
 Realistic
 Time Bound

3. Specific Goals Ask and Answer the 6 W’s.
 Who: Who is involved?
 What: What do I want to accomplish?
 Where: Identify a location.
 When: Establish a time frame.
 Which: Identify requirements and constraints.
 Why: Specify reasons, purposes or benefits of
accomplishing the goal.

4. Examples:
 Goal that needs work:
 I want to volunteer.
 Better, more specific goal:
 I want to volunteer with elementary age children
after school at a convenient location.

5. Measurable Goals Establish Clear Criteria
 To measure progress, they ask:
 How much?
 How many?
 How will I know when it is accomplished?

6. Example:
 Goal that needs work:
 I want to improve my pronunciation.
 Better, more measurable goal:
 I want to improve my pronunciation of “th”.

7. Attainable Goals Are Within Your Reach
 As you identify important goals, you begin to
figure out ways that you can achieve them.
 You develop the attitudes, abilities, skills, and
financial capacity to reach them.
 Attainable goals are challenging, but they are
within your capability.

8. Example:
 Goal that needs more work:
 I want to get my law degree within 1 yr of
graduation.
 Better, more attainable goal:
 I want to complete my law degree within 3 yrs of
graduating with a bachelor’s.

9. Realistic goals are Do-able
 They are objectives that you are willing and
able to work toward.
 Goals can be both high and realistic.
 High goals can be realistic if you truly believe
they can be accomplished.

10. Example:
 Goal that needs work:
 I’ll cut sugar out of my diet completely.
 Better, more realistic goal:
 I’ll drink one glass more of water per day instead
of soda or juice.

11. Time Bound Goals Have a Specified End.
 There is a reasonable target date for a timely
goal.
 Deadlines too far in the future can be put off.
 Deadlines that are too soon can be
unrealistic.

12. Example:
 Goal that needs work:
 I will memorize every Micheal Jackson song.
 Better, more timely goal:
 I will memorize Thriller by the end of the week.

13.  Long term goals are in your distant future.
 These can be “wishes” with a basis in reality.
 To reach them, you need to set smaller, short
term goals to aid you in reaching them.
▪ Ask yourself:
▪ What can I do 6 months from now?
▪ What can I do 6 weeks from now?
▪ What can I do today?

14.  Always leave room to be flexible
 Be SMART
 Set goals for yourself in various areas of your
life.
 I.E. Academic, physical, mental, social, etc.