The Power of SMARTER Goals: Setting Yourself Up for Success

As the new year begins, many of us feel inspired to set ambitious goals. But let’s be honest—how often do those goals end up gathering dust by February? The key to creating goals that stick lies in a simple yet powerful framework: SMARTER goals. This approach builds on the traditional SMART model by adding two vital components: Evaluate and Reward. These additions transform goal setting from a rigid, static exercise into a dynamic, motivational journey.

By incorporating flexibility and celebration into your process, SMARTER goals help you adapt to life's twists and turns while staying motivated to achieve your objectives. Let’s explore what makes SMARTER goals so effective and how you can use them to make 2025 your most successful year yet.

What Are SMARTER Goals?

SMARTER goals take the tried-and-true SMART framework and enhance it. Let’s break it down:

• Specific: Your goal should be clear and detailed, leaving no room for ambiguity.
• Measurable: Include criteria to track progress and confirm achievement.
• Achievable: Ensure the goal is within your control and realistic given your resources.
• Relevant: Align your goal with your values and priorities to maintain motivation.
• Time-Bound: Set a deadline to give yourself a clear timeline.

Then come the game-changing additions:

• Evaluate: Periodically assess your progress and adjust as needed. This ensures flexibility when circumstances change.
• Reward: Celebrate milestones and achievements along the way. Recognition keeps you motivated and avoids burnout.

Why Evaluate and Reward Matter

Evaluate: Building Flexibility into Your Goals

Life rarely goes as planned. Adding Evaluate to your goal-setting process ensures you can adapt when things change. For example, let’s say you’ve set a goal to increase your team’s productivity by 15% by June 30. By scheduling monthly progress reviews, you can identify what’s working, adjust strategies, and course-correct if needed. Flexibility doesn’t mean abandoning your goal—it means being smart about how you achieve it.

Reward: Staying Motivated and Avoiding Burnout

Achieving goals is hard work, and without recognition, even success can feel hollow. I’ve worked on teams that exceeded their objectives, only to be deemed “average” because everyone else performed well too. That lack of acknowledgment led to frustration and disengagement. Adding a reward—whether it’s a team lunch, a personal treat, or public recognition—makes a significant difference in maintaining morale and momentum.

How to Write a SMARTER Goal

Let’s walk through the process step by step. Here’s an example:

• Specific: “I want to increase my team’s productivity.”
• Measurable: “…by 15%.”
• Achievable: “I’ll achieve this by implementing weekly progress reviews and using collaborative software.”
• Relevant: “This goal aligns with our company’s mission to optimize efficiency.”
• Time-Bound: “…by June 30.”
• Evaluate: “We’ll review progress monthly to ensure we’re on track.”
• Reward: “If we meet this goal, the team will celebrate with a lunch outing.”

Final Goal: “Increase my team’s productivity by 15% by June 30 through weekly progress reviews and collaborative software, with monthly evaluations and a team lunch to celebrate success.”

Get Started with Your SMARTER Goals

Setting goals isn’t just about deciding what you want to achieve; it’s about creating a roadmap to get there. The SMARTER framework helps you:

• Start with clarity and purpose.
• Stay flexible and resilient in the face of challenges.
• Celebrate achievements to build momentum.

Ready to craft your own SMARTER goals? Download my free SMARTER Goals Tool to guide you through the process step by step. Whether you’re aiming for personal growth, team success, or organizational improvements, SMARTER goals will set you up for meaningful, lasting success.

Closing Thoughts

Great goals inspire action, adapt to change, and reward effort. By incorporating the SMARTER framework into your planning, you’ll not only achieve your objectives but enjoy the journey as well. Let’s make 2025 the year you reach your full potential. Start today by crafting your SMARTER goals and taking the first step toward your success.

Join us next week as our goal-setting blog series dives into "Goal Setting for Teams" and explores how to align individual and team objectives with organizational success.