What is the SMART method? How do I set realistic goals?

SMART Goal examples and a worksheet are also included in this FAQ.

Answer

Be sure to scroll down to the bottom to find a SMART Goal Worksheet you can use to set yourself up for success!

Setting goals is an important part of reaching success, and a great method you can use to set goals is the SMART method.

Specific:  What do you want to accomplish?  Why is this goal important?  Who is involved?  What resources are involved?

Measurable:  Are you able to track your progress?  How will you know when it's accomplished?

Achievable:  Is achieving this goal realistic with effort and commitment?  Do you have the resources to achieve this goal?  If not, how will you get them?

Relevant:  Why is this goal important?  Does it seem worthwhile?  Is this the right time?  Does this match efforts/needs? 

Timely:  When will you achieve this goal?

SMART Goal Example

Goal:  Successfully complete the Capstone Course with a final average of 78% or higher at the end of the Winter 2018 term.

Specific

  • What do you want to accomplish? 
  • Why is this goal important? 
  • Who is involved? 
  • What resources are involved?

Pass Capstone with a 78% or higher

It is my last course I need to pass before graduation.

I will need to utilize the resources available through Rasmussen University.

Measurable

  • Are you able to track your progress? 
  • How will you know when it's accomplished?

I am able to track my progress my reviewing my grades through the grade book.

I will know I have accomplished my goal when I have passed my course with a 78% or higher.

Achievable

  • Is achieving this goal realistic?
  • Do you have the resources to achieve this goal?
  • If not, how will you get them?

Yes, this is a realistic goal.

Yes, Rasmussen University has many resources I can use to accomplish this goal.

I can reach out to my instructor if I need additional resources or support.

Relevant

  • Why is this goal important?
  • Does it seem worthwhile?
  • Is this the right time?
  • Does this match specific needs?

I need to pass this course to earn my degree.

Yes, it is very worthwhile because I have worked very hard to get to this point.

Yes, now is the right time.

Yes, it matches my need to graduate so I can work as a nurse.

Timely

  • When will you achieve this goal?

I will achieve this goal by the end of the quarter.

Other SMART Goal Examples

  • Increase influenza immunization rates by 1% in Hispanic adults 65 years of age and older, over the next 6 months. (see attached a quick sample of the SMART worksheet for this goal)
  • Expand mobile farmers’ markets in 2 low-income food desert neighborhoods by January 2019.
  • Decrease the teen pregnancy rates in Dixon County by 0.5% after 5 years of collaborative community prevention efforts.
  • Decrease fall rates among Alzheimer patients by 50%, six months after implementation of hourly rounding policy.

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  • Last Updated Jun 07, 2022
  • Views 28009
  • Answered By Kerry Louvier

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