The document discusses setting SMART targets, which are goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. Setting SMART targets has numerous benefits, such as increasing motivation and self-confidence. It also helps with monitoring progress and identifying areas for improvement. The document provides examples of both SMART and non-SMART targets, explaining how to ensure targets meet all five SMART criteria by asking a series of questions. Breaking long-term goals into shorter-term SMART targets is recommended.

1. Setting SMART targets

2. SMART target setting principle is used
across the range of disciplines such as
business, sport, education and personal
development –
because it is highly effective!

3. The benefits are huge:

4. It increases motivation and determination

5. It reinforces the desire to keep working
and builds self-confidence

6. It helps you identify areas for
improvement

7. It gives you a starting point to monitor
progress

8. It makes you feel good about yourself

9. What is a SMART target?

10. SMART is an acronym for:
S Specific
M Measurable
A Achievable
R Realistic
T Time bound

11. If your target is specific, measurable,
achievable, realistic and time bound, it is
SMART .

12. It does take a bit of practicing to become
good at setting SMART targets.

13. But once you master it, it will
become a habit…

14. And you will never again say:
“I want to lose weight”
(this is an example of an un-SMART -------
target, in case you wandered…)

15. How do I set my own SMART
targets?

16. When setting your targets ask yourself
following five questions:

17. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Are my targets Specific?
Are they precise and well-defined? Are they
clear? Can everyone understand them? Make sure
they are not too general.

18. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Are my targets Measurable?
How will I know when the task has been
completed? What evidence do I needed to confirm
it? Have I stated how I judge whether it has been
completed or not?

19. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Are my targets Achievable?
Is it within my capabilities? Have I got sufficient
resources available to enable this to happen? Can
it be done at all?

20. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Are my targets Realistic?
Is it possible for me to perform the objective?
How sensible is the objective? Does it fit into the
overall pattern of how I work?

21. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Are my targets Timely?
Is there a deadline? Is it feasible to meet this
deadline? Are there review dates?

22. And few more tips:

23.  Simplify your targets.
 Make them short term.
 Enter them on your ILP and
write them down.
 Revisit them regularly.

24. Words to avoid when setting SMART
targets:
more improve
successfully
less timely
effectively
good communication
efficiently

25. Here are some examples:
I will complete minimum of 60 work placement
hours over next two weeks to meet the course
and progression requirement.
This is a good target but you have to remember to
enter the date in the appropriate box on your ILP.

26.  Improve my attendance
 This is not a SMART target. The word ‘improve’
isn’t measurable.
Attend every lesson for the next two weeks
This is a good target if you are struggling with
attendance.
Maintain 100% attendance for the next four
weeks to win ‘100% attendance challenge’.
This is a good target whether you are struggling
with attendance or not.

27.  I will improve my spelling by the end of this year.
 This is not a SMART target as it is neither specific
nor measurable.
Practice spelling five words from the spelling list
each day until the end of May.
This target meets all the SMART criteria!

28.  Achieve Distinction for all units at the end of the
year.
 This is not a SMART target as it may not be
realistic and it is too long term. You need to break
it down into series of shorter term targets such as
following:
Complete and submit Unit 3 D1 task by
Wednesday.
This is a SMART target!

29.  I will make an effort to contribute towards class
discussions.
 This is not a SMART target as effort can’t be
measured.
I will make a voluntary contribution to class
discussion in our next Tutorial session.
This is a SMART target.

30. Attend at least four university open days over
the summer.
Complete the Personal, Additional Information,
Student Finance, Employment and Education
sections on my UCAS form by next Wednesday
Submit second draft of my personal statement
by the end of week
All of the above are SMART targets!

31. Your SLA will help you with target setting and
make sure your targets are SMART.