What does S.M.A.R.T. stand for?

Here we use Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. The wording has changed since George T. Doran introduced the acronym in 1981; this version helps you check what you want, how you will measure it and whether it fits your life.

Are S.M.A.R.T. goals still useful?

Yes, if the checklist helps you see what to do next. A clear result, measure and date give you something to plan around. You still need to make room for the work and check whether it is helping.

What is a good example of a S.M.A.R.T. goal?

"Publish eight essays by 31 March" gives you a clear result, a count and a date. It is relevant if those essays serve something you care about, and achievable if the writing fits the time you have.

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Give that vague goal something to aim at

“Work on the project” can mean almost anything. That makes it surprisingly easy to stay busy around it. The S.M.A.R.T. checklist helps you say what you want to change, how you will notice and when to take a look.

A small place to start

Try it with a goal you have been carrying around.

Try these as you go. The ticks stay here until you leave or reload.

0 of 3 ready

Write down what you would like to be different.Choose a way to measure it and a date to aim for.See whether the first small step fits into this week.

A quick word about the letters

George T. Doran introduced S.M.A.R.T. in a 1981 Management Review article. His version used Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic and Time-related. The wording has changed over time. Here is the version we will use to work through your goal:

S: Specific
M: Measurable
A: Achievable
R: Relevant
T: Time-bound

Work through it one letter at a time

Specific

Say what you want to do or change. Instead of 'get fit', try 'run 5k three mornings a week'. Give yourself a picture of what you are aiming for.

Measurable

Choose a number, a count or a clear yes/no. 'Finish the first draft' has an end you can recognise. 'Get further with the book' is harder to check.

Achievable

Look at the time, money, skills and help you have. Include the meetings already sitting on Thursday. They tend to stay there.

Relevant

Ask why this matters to you now. If you cannot see how it helps the bigger thing you care about, it may belong later.

Time-bound

Pick a date to aim for. 'By the end of week 8' gives you a point to plan back from and review. 'Soon' leaves rather a lot open.

Three goals made a little clearer

Vague
"Grow the newsletter."

S.M.A.R.T.
"Add 500 verified email subscribers by the end of this 12-week chapter. Try two guest posts and a referral offer, then check what brings people in."

Vague
"Get healthier."

S.M.A.R.T.
"Strength-train three mornings a week for the next twelve weeks, and keep a record of the sessions."

Vague
"Improve the product."

S.M.A.R.T.
"Reduce day-one drop-off from 42% to below 30% by week 10, starting with the new onboarding flow."

The part a well-written goal cannot do for you

You can write a very clear goal and still struggle to get started. The checklist helps with the wording. After that, you need a small next step, some time for it and a chance to see what happened. A weekly rhythm gives you a place to do that.

Use the checklist when you write an outcome for your chapter.
Plan a little work, do what you can, then review and decide what comes next.
Revisit the measure and the date in your weekly review. If either stops making sense, adjust it and keep a note of what you learned.

Check the result as well as the work

Say you want to finish a first draft. Chapters written tell you how the draft is coming along. Writing sessions give you something to plan each week; these are a lead measure. Keep an eye on both. You might do every planned session and still discover that the draft needs more time.

Newsletter task plan
Task	Status	Time	XP
Outline the first issueDone	Done	20m	20
Write the first newsletter draftIn progress	In progress	45m	40
Ask two readers for feedbackNot started	Not started	30m	20
Revise the welcome emailNot started	Not started	25m	20

Link this week's tasks to the outcome and check your measures in the review. If you get stuck, talk it through with Planko. You can read and edit its suggestions before deciding which ones to use.

Give the outcome a place in your chapter

Start with one outcome you care about. Add a measure and a date, then choose the first tasks in the planner. Tasks, Calendar and your weekly review help you return to it as the chapter unfolds. If you want to see how that fits together, the 12 Week Year guide walks through the week.

Start your chapter Read the 12 Week Year guide