Examples of Measurable Goals

and Objectives

Measurable goals and objectives are essential for evaluating progress in any situation, be it work,

learning, or personal development. When a goal is specific and measurable, it's more likely to be

achieved. For anyone who is easily overwhelmed or struggles with time-management, this system

will help you stay on track.

Let's Get S.M.A.R.T.

A popular mnemonic, S.M.A.R.T. helps people remain on a path to academic, professional, and

personal success. The S.M.A.R.T. system enables individuals to devise a solid plan with concrete and

•

o Bad: I want to be a better student.

o Good: I'm going to focus on boosting my overall grade in MAT 101.

• Measurable: Goals need to be measurable in such a way that tangible evidence can be presented

along the way. It's fun to track your milestones! This can be as simple as setting a specific date

for your achievement.

•

o Bad: I'm going to study for this Friday's math test.

o Good: I'm going to study every day and then meet with a tutor on Wednesday to prepare for

Friday's test.

• Relevant: It's important to examine your goal. Make sure it's relevant and realistic.

•

o Bad: I want to make money on the stock market. (But you hate finance.)

o Good: I want to make money as a personal trainer. (Since you love going to the gym.)

• Time-bound: Goals should be linked to a timeframe that creates a practical sense of urgency,

creating a healthy tension that will propel you forward.

•

o Bad: I want to submit a short story in the contest next month.

o Good: I'm going to draft an outline for my first short story this Wednesday.

Overall Goal: I want to run my own consulting business.

S.M.A.R.T. Goal: Within one month, I will land my first client after organizing a sensible plan

for sending out pitches.

• Specific: Using my network, I will seek out companies in need of my consulting services.

• Measurable: I will pitch my first three clients within two weeks, aiming to pitch five per week

thereafter.

• Achievable: I will competently outline what I can do for businesses, I will perfect my pitch, and

work on my portfolio.

• Relevant: Knowing this is something I'm good at, I will utilize my contacts and remain focused

S.M.A.R.T. Goal: I will target my lowest class average in order to raise my overall GPA.

• Specific: I want to improve my overall GPA so I can apply for new scholarships next semester.

• Measurable: I will earn a B or better on my MAT 101 midterm exam.

• Achievable:I will meet with a math tutor every week to help me focus on my weak spots.

• Relevant: I'd like to reduce my student loans next semester. Bringing up this low class average

will open new doors for me.

• Time-based: I still have six weeks until midterms. This leaves me plenty of time to meet with a

tutor and decide if any additional steps are necessary.

• Example of Personal S.M.A.R.T. Goal

• Achievable: I will see a nutritionist to design a healthy eating plan.

• Relevant: This will cure some of my nagging ailments e.g. fatigue, lower back pain.

• Time-based: In September I will change my eating habits. In October I will start walking more.

By the holidays, I'll be able to indulge a little without ruining my new healthy habits.

Did you notice all the instances of "I will" in the above examples? Keep telling yourself that

you will do this, that you can do this, not just that you'd like to. You started achieving your goal the

minute you wrote S.M.A.R.T. on that fresh sheet of paper.

It's true that stress doesn't always leave room for motivation. However, if we chip away at small

projects, little by little, following S.M.A.R.T. goals, we will start to see positive changes emerge. The

big as you'd like. Just make sure you start with specific and measurable milestones that are

watch your plans finally take shape.