How to Set SMART Goals

We all know the importance of goal setting, but oftentimes, the goals we set don't fully pan out. Whether it's lack of time or motivation, following through with a goal is easier said than done. One main reason why goals don't stick is because they aren't "smart" enough. When we learn to create SMART goals, our chances of reaching our goals increase exponentially.

What exactly are SMART goals?

SMART goals provide a clear and precise framework, enabling your child to identify the exact steps needed to achieve their goal. By setting SMART goals, your child can express what they want to accomplish and allow them to use their time wisely and stick to a plan, which boosts their chances of success.

What does SMART stand for?

SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Let's break each one down.

S stands for Specific

When your child comes home from school, do you often ask, "How's school today?"

And their answer? "Good."

If you ask a vague question, you'll get a vague answer. The same goes for setting goals—if your goals aren't clear, you won't see results. "I want to do well in school" sounds like a great goal, but it's not specific enough. A goal needs to be specific so that they know what action to focus on. For example, what does your child want to do well in? If it's in math, what area of math? And is it to improve on their understanding, their work habits, or meeting assignment deadlines? Perhaps a better goal would be,"I want to be accurate with my times tables so I can get a better mark on my next test". Specific goals render results.

M stands for Measurable

Imagine running in a race without a finish line; how do we declare a winner? How do even end the race? It's impossible to reach a goal when we don't have a way to gauge how we are doing. There needs to be a way to measure and track progress. Whether it's quantitively (getting above 73% on the next test) or qualitatively (teacher didn't give you any homework warnings), there needs to be a benchmark. A measurable goal also allows your child to feel the dopamine effect and satisfaction of reaching their goal. So instead of saying, "I want to do well on my spelling test," try "I want to get less than 2 words wrong on my next spelling test."

A stands for Achievable

There's a difference between a dream and a SMART goal. A 7-year-old aspiring to be a professional hockey player has a great dream, but it's not a SMART goal as it requires years of dedication. SMART goals create a path to achieve bigger dreams, helping children focus and appreciate the process, fostering a growth mindset. We should set attainable goals that are within reach. For a young hockey player, a SMART goal could be practicing one type of shot, practicing their edgework, or even something as simple as ensuring all their hockey gear is packed in their bag before heading to the rink.

R stands for Relevant

The goals that are made need to be relevant to your child. Older children can set their own goals, but the younger group will need more guidance from you. Ultimately, the goal should be theirs, not yours. The goal has to matter to your child and align with what they are currently doing. The goal they make has to complement with the bigger picture of what they want to achieve and they need to see how and why this goal is set.

T stands for Time-bound

Having a time limit pushes your child to take action and stay motivated to reach their goal. Just make sure the deadline is realistic—not too far off, but not so close that it's impossible. For school goals, timing it with the next project or test is a smart move. For instance, they might say, "I want to practice my multiplication skills so I can score over 80% on my next math test in two weeks."

Teaching your child about SMART goals strengthens their growth mindset and helps them stay committed to achieve success. Setting SMART goals helps keep their mind focused, and allows them to stay motivated by tracking progress within a time limit.

When creating SMART goals, help your child by asking them:

Specific:

What exactly do you want to accomplish?

Measurable:

How will you be able to measure that you have accomplished this?

Attainable:

Do you have any skills that can help you move forward with this goal?

Relevant:

Why am you setting this goal?

Time-bound:

Do you have a realistic deadline for your goal?

Whether it's for school, sports, or any facets of life, start a conversation with your child today about SMART goals and encourage them to begin.

Enjoyed this article? Click here to subscribe to more blogs similar to this one.