Create Quarterly SMART Goals With This 3-Step System
If you want to get something done, you need to stay focused. How to do it? Work with smaller milestones . For example, instead of making a list of all your goals for the year, break it down by what you want to focus on in the next few months. And this three-step system can help.
Business coach David Finkel created this action plan for companies or teams, but you can easily use it for your own purposes as well. It consists of three stages.
Step One: Determine Your Main Directions : The first step is to come up with three “Main Directions”, which are just three goals you want to achieve this quarter (one per month). For example, you can read more, exercise more, stop eating so many unhealthy foods, etc. Write down each goal and divide it by month.
Step two: clarify the criteria for success : how will you know if you have achieved your goal in the target area? For example, if your goal is to read more books, your criteria might be ” Finally complete War and Peace” and ” Finish reading all the books I received for Christmas.” You will refine the criteria for each goal, and then write down the criteria for each area of focus.
Step Three: Outline Your Actions : In the next step, you will add action-oriented tasks that you will take to achieve each goal. Returning to the book example, one could read one chapter a day. Add these tasks to your attention area each month, and then create a due date for that step.
A template is a great way to create SMART goals for yourself. By refining your criteria, you ensure that your goals are specific and measurable. When you list your goals, you ensure that they are realistic and relevant. And by breaking down goals by month, you ensure that they are timed. Follow the link below to see the template in action.
3 Easy Steps to Create a One Page, Quarterly Action Plan | Maui Brain via Fast Company