Say exactly what you want.
A goal should clearly describe what you want to achieve.
Vague“Get fit.”
SMART“Run a 5K without stopping.”
The SMART way
How to create a goal you'll actually reach.
SmartGoals is built around a simple idea: achieving something becomes much easier when you clearly define what you want, why it matters, and how you are going to get there.
Meet the five lettersWhat is SMART?
Five letters. One clear goal.
The name comes from the well-known SMART approach to goal setting.
Tap a letter to see what it means.
Decide how you'll know.
You should be able to tell whether you are making progress and when the goal has been achieved.
Vague“Read more.”
SMART“Read 12 books this year.”
A stretch, not a snap.
A good goal should challenge you, but still be realistic enough that you can act on it.
Too big“Run a marathon next week.”
SMART“Start with 2 km and add a little each week.”
Connect it to your why.
Your goal should matter to you and support something you genuinely want to achieve.
Trend-driven“Learn to code because it’s trendy.”
SMART“Learn to code so I can build my own app.”
Give it a finish line.
A goal becomes more actionable when it has a deadline or a defined time frame.
Open-ended“Eventually.”
SMART“By 30 June.”
Pick your type
Which goal is this?
Different goals need different rhythms.
Choose the one that matches how you want to work.
Primary long-term goal
Your one big ambition. Keep it in focus and break it into simple steps.
Long-term goals
Months or years ahead. Build a clear, manageable path.
Short-term goals
Quick wins you can reach in days or weeks.
Periodic goals
Habits that repeat. Consistency over intensity.
How goals connect
Every goal in SmartGoals can be built from smaller goals. Finish the small ones and the big one moves forward.
Primary long-term
Get a masters degree in engineering
Your big ambition
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Short-termComplete the research proposalDone in a few weeks
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StandardPass the linear algebra courseOne clear outcome
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Long-termWrite a Master thesisTakes monthsPeriodicWrite one page every dayA habit that gets it done
Ready to set your first goal?
Start with one sentence. Make it specific, give it a date and take the first small step today.