Want a simple way to create SMART goals for any area of your life?
Well, one tool that can help is this Free Printable SMART Goals Worksheet.
Here's how it works:
#1. Print out this PDF
Be sure to save it to your computer or download. And you probably want to print out a copy for each SMART goal you'd like to create.
#2. Identify a Goal You'd Like to Create.
If you're not sure how to do this, then watch this video with 27 examples of SMART goals.
#3. Fill out each section of the SMART Goals Worksheet.
Here's how it breaks down:
S: Specific
Specific goals answer your six “W” questions: who, what, where, when, which and why.
When you can identify each element, you’ll know which tools (and actions) are required to reach a goal.
- Who: Who is involved?
- What: What do you want to accomplish?
- Where: Where will you complete the goal?
- When: When do you want to do it?
- Which: Which requirements and constraints might get in your way?
- Why: Why are you doing it?
Specificity is important because when you reach these milestones, you’ll know for certain you have achieved your goal.
M: Measurable
Measurable goals are defined with precise times, amounts, or other units—essentially anything that measures progress toward a goal.
Creating measurable goals makes it easy to determine if you have progressed from point A to point B.
Measurable goals also help you figure out when you're headed in the right direction and when you're not.
Generally speaking, a measurable goal statement answers questions starting with “how,” such as “how much,” “how many” and “how fast.”
A: Attainable
Attainable goals stretch the limits of what you think is possible. While they’re not impossible to complete, they’re often challenging and full of obstacles.
The key to creating an attainable goal is to look at your current life and set an objective that seems slightly beyond your reach. That way, even if you fail, you still accomplish something of significance.
R: Relevant
Relevant goals focus on what you truly desire.
They are the exact opposite of inconsistent or scattered goals. They are in harmony with everything that is important in your life, from success in your career to happiness with the people you love.
T: Time-bound
Time-bound goals have specific deadlines. You are expected to achieve your desired outcome before a target date.
Time-bound goals are challenging and grounding. You can set your target date for today, or in a few weeks, months, or even years from now.
The key to creating a time-bound goal is to set a deadline you’ll meet by working backward and developing habits.
This will answer the answer the when? and where? questions that will describe the exact time and place for how you will complete this habit.
#4. Create Your SMART Goal Statement
Once you've completed each statement, use the bottom section of the worksheet (i.e. “Your SMART Goal Statement”) to create the exact wording for your goal.
To illustrate this idea, here are a few examples:
- “For the next year, I will save 20 percent of every paycheck and invest it in index funds through my 401k.”
- “I will eat a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables daily by March 31 by mapping out my meals each week, going shopping twice a week and eating one to two servings per meal.”
- “For the next 3 months, I will pick 5 important habits that will be added to my new morning routine and complete this routine every morning.”
To get started, use the above link or click on this image…