Clever goal setting using SMERTIE
Clever goal setting — people often use SMART goals in work appraisals; you may have heard of them and even applied them yourself.
However, I want to discuss clever goal setting using SMERTIE, which I will discuss here. First and foremost, you must resonate with the SMERTIE outcomes you set because they will benefit you the most.
“In the absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia.”
Author Unknown
Clever goal setting requires them to be vivid and meaningful, written in the present tense using positive language. What you want should drive your outcomes, not what you don’t want.
Clever goal setting
For instance, it is November 2022, and I have complete control over my finances. Each month, I pay 2000 Rand more off my mortgage. I also save 1000 Rand every month for my dream trip to France next year. In addition to controlling my spending, I pay my credit card bill in full monthly.
Clever goal setting acronym SMERTIE
- Specific
- Measurable
- Evidential
- Responsible
- Time
- Inspirational
- Emotional
What does “Specific” mean?
Your goal should be easy for anyone to understand. When you state your outcome as “I want to find a new job and earn a lot of money,” we need to ask you several questions to identify your exact objective.
If you write, “I am starting a new job as the Business Development Manager in Lisbon”, I earn 350,000 Rand per year with a 10% bonus at the end of the year.” A sense of energy and emotional appeal motivates you to reach it.
What is meant by “Measurable”?
Measuring the amount of progress you make toward reaching your target is essential. It is easier to procrastinate and approach the future when your future is uncertain and unsure of where it will lead.
Consider the goal, “I’d like to get a new job and earn lots of money.” There is no plan or indication of the level of success you value that helps you define a measurement.
The goal will be more attractive to you if it includes a measure of the success that you value.
What does “Evidential” mean?
You should have evidence of completing the goal. For example, suppose you want to earn 350,000 Rand a year and accept a job with this salary or more.
The achievement you have stated is tangible and quantifiable.
Accomplishing goals marks the completion of something you desire at that time in your life, as they are finite.
Having achieved the goal and having evidence to suggest it is complete, you will be ready to move on to the next one.
What does “Responsible” mean?
Taking responsibility for one’s life is a fundamental characteristic of coaching. Moreover, there exists a direct relationship between your success and the level of responsibility you choose to embrace in your life. Consequently, the more accountable you are for your actions and decisions, the greater your potential for achieving success.
Consequently, it would be best to consider your responsibility for decisions and actions when you write your plan.
What is meant by “Time Based”?
You need to set a time frame to work toward reaching your outcome. A lack of a time frame makes giving up easy.
Therefore, you should select outcomes you can achieve over a 6 to 12-month period.
What is meant by “Inspirational”?
You will find motivation to achieve an inspirational goal that aligns with your values, beliefs, and true self.
When you have written down your goal, ask yourself, “how attractive is the goal?” Then, rate it from zero to ten, with zero not attractive and ten exceedingly attractive.
Considering your goal to be a nine or ten will motivate you to reach your outcomes.
What is meant by “Emotional”?
Humans possess a strong desire to avoid pain and, conversely, to gain pleasure. Thus, consider something to which you feel emotionally attached.
Following that, you will set in motion a plan that will lead you toward your outcomes.
For example, when writing your goal, consider the pleasure you will receive from achieving it — the greater the pleasure, the more likely you are to achieve it.
Your personal SMERTIE goal
There is no better time than the present to start thinking about setting your SMERTIE goals to bring you happiness and balance.
Commit to positive actions to help you achieve your outcomes after writing them down.
A great way of making sure you will take action is to set up some smaller milestones with action steps.
You should review your outcomes daily to ensure that you remain on track. Then, upon reaching your initial target, the feeling will be exciting and empowering.
Set new outcomes using these positive feelings, and you will succeed more!