Upgrade Your Goal-Setting from SMART to SMARTER
by Anne Ueberbach
Assistant Director / Counsellor
Upgrade Your Goal-Setting from SMART to SMARTER
Are you tired of setting goals that fizzle out or fall flat? Do you want to supercharge your goal-achieving potential? If so, it's time to upgrade your goal-setting strategy from SMART to SMARTER.
Goal-setting is a fundamental aspect of human motivation and achievement. The SMART criteria, introduced by George T. Doran in 1981, have been widely adopted as a framework for setting effective goals. However, a more recent extension of this framework, known as SMARTER goals, offers additional features that can enhance goal-achievement. While we can't pinpoint exactly when SMARTER goals were introduced or by whom, it's clear that they're a more comprehensive and dynamic approach to goal-setting. The SMARTER framework has been adopted by various professionals and organizations such as Indeed.
What are SMART Goals?
SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These criteria provide a structured approach to goal-setting, ensuring that objectives are clear, actionable, and attainable. SMART goals have been widely used in various domains, including business, education, and personal development.
Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
Measurable: Quantify progress and outcomes.
Achievable: Ensure the goal is challenging yet attainable.
Relevant: Align the goal with your values and priorities.
Time-bound: Set a specific deadline or timeframe.
The Limitations of SMART Goals
You've probably heard of SMART goals, which have been a cornerstone of goal-setting for decades. SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. While SMART goals provide a solid foundation for goal-setting, they have some limitations.
SMART goals are often static, with a fixed endpoint and no built-in mechanism for evaluation or adjustment. This can lead to goals that become outdated, irrelevant, or even counterproductive.
What are SMARTER Goals?
So, what's the alternative? Enter SMARTER goals. SMARTER goals build upon the original SMART framework by incorporating two additional elements: Evaluated and Reviewed. These extra components enhance the goal-setting process by emphasizing the importance of evaluation, reflection, and adjustment.
Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
Measurable: Quantify progress and outcomes.
Achievable: Ensure the goal is challenging yet attainable.
Relevant: Align the goal with your values and priorities.
Time-bound: Set a specific deadline or timeframe.
Evaluated: Regularly assess progress and outcomes.
Reviewed: Reflect on the goal's effectiveness and make adjustments.
Benefits of SMARTER Goals
SMARTER goals are dynamic, flexible, and adaptive. They recognize that goals are not set in stone and that circumstances can change. The benefits of incorporating evaluation and review into the goal-setting process include:
Improved flexibility
Regular evaluation and review enable individuals to adjust their goals in response to new information, challenges, or opportunities.
Enhanced accountability
The Evaluated and Reviewed components promote a sense of responsibility and ownership, encouraging individuals to take a more proactive and reflective approach to goal-achievement.
Increased effectiveness
By regularly assessing progress and outcomes, individuals can identify areas for improvement and optimize their strategies, leading to more successful goal-achievement.
Comparison of SMART & SMARTER Goals
While SMART goals provide a solid foundation for goal-setting, SMARTER goals offer a more comprehensive and dynamic approach. The Evaluated and Reviewed components of SMARTER goals facilitate ongoing assessment and refinement, allowing individuals to adapt to changing circumstances and optimize their goal-achievement strategies.
What’s Next?
If you're ready to take your goal-achieving to the next level, it's time to make the switch to SMARTER goals. By incorporating evaluation and review into your goal-setting process, you'll be better equipped to adapt, adjust, and achieve your objectives.
How Counselling in Singapore Can Help
If you’d like additional support with your goal-setting, consider working with a qualified therapist (such as a counsellor, psychologist or psychotherapist). Counselling in Singapore can play a significant role in helping individuals achieve their SMARTER goals and improve their overall goal-setting skills. Therapy can help you:
Identify and Clarify Your Goals
Counselling can assist you in identifying and clarifying your goals, ensuring they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound, evaluated, and reviewed. A counsellor/psychologist/psychotherapist can help clients explore their values, needs, and desires to create meaningful and aligned goal.
Overcoming Obstacles and Build Resilience
Therapy can foster resilience and perseverance, which essentially helps you overcome obstacles that may hinder your progress toward achieving your SMARTER goals. A therapist can assist you in identifying and addressing underlying issues, such as fear, self-doubt, or procrastination, that may be sabotaging your efforts. Counselling can also help you develop a sense of purpose, self-efficacy, and hope, enabling you to bounce back from setbacks and stay committed to your goals.
Building Accountability and Support
Therapy can provide a sense of accountability and support, helping you stay motivated and committed to your SMARTER goals.
Developing Effective Coping Strategies
Counselling in Singapore can help you develop effective coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety, or other emotions that may arise when working toward SMARTER goals. A counsellor/psychologist/psychotherapist can assist you in identifying and practicing healthy coping mechanisms, such as mindfulness, self-care, or problem-focused coping.
Use our free worksheet to kick start your goal-setting journey!
About the author
Anne is a a compassionate and experienced counsellor at The Counselling Place Singapore, who empowers her clients to thrive amidst life's challenges. Her expertise across Singapore and Australia spans mental health, career coaching, and multicultural dynamics, informed by her own expat experience and diverse family background.
Anne creates a warm and non-judgmental space for growth and transformation. Her empathetic approach supports individuals, families, and expats navigating life's challenges and transitions