Blogging Elements

Set SMART Goals For Ultimate Blog Success

Posted on 25. Jan, 2010 by Mike J in Blogging Elements

These SMART goals are not my idea but they are certainly a very useful tool in setting and attaining goals of any kind. If you just simply use this formula to set and plan out your goals for almost anything they help achieving them that much easier. I previously posted these goals here on Blogging Elements over a year ago, then I broke them up into a two posts. I have now put them together into one post outlining the whole process.

SMART Goals:

M = Measurable

A = Attainable

R = Realistic

T = timely

Specific

Goals should be straightforward and emphasize what you want to happen. Specifics help us to focus our efforts and clearly define what we are going to do.

Specific is the what, why and how of the smart goal setting model.

What are you going to do? I like to use action words such as direct, organize, coordinate, develop, plan , build etc.

Why is this important to do at this time? what do you want to ultimately accomplish?

How are you going to do it?

Ensure the goal you set is very specific, clear and easy.  Instead of setting a goal to post or write on your blog more, set a specific goal to post every day or every other day.  Another goal could be to loose weight, be specific by loosing 2lbs. a week or to walk 5 miles every day.

Measurable

If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.  In the broadest sense, the goal statement is a measure for the project; if the goal is accomplished, this a success.  However, there are usually several short-term or small measurements can be built into the goal.

Choose a goal with measurable progress, so you can see the change occur.  How will you see when you reach your goal?  Be specific; “I want to read 3 chapter books of 100 pages on my own before my birthday” shows specific target to measure.  “I want to be a good reader” is not measurable.

Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. When you measure your progress, it makes it easy to stay on track so that you reach your target dates. This way you can experience the exhileration of achievement witch in turn spurs you on to continued effort required to reach all of your goals.

Attainable

When you identify goals that are the most important to you. You begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. As you develop attitudes, abilities, skills and financial capacity to reach them. You begin to see previously overlooked opportunities to bring yourself closer to the achievement of your goals.

Goals you set that are to far out or probably won’t reach, you most likely will not commit to doing. Although you you may start with all good intentions check to make sure these goals are still attainable and if not reschedule them or drop them and move on.

A goal needs to strech you slightly so you feel like you can do it and that it will need a real commitment from you. Take for instance, if you aim to loose 20lbs in one week, we all know that is not achieveable. But setting a goal to loose 1 pound and when that is achieved to loose 1 more pound it will be achieveable for you.

The feeling of success this brings will help to remain motivated on getting to your goals.

Realistic

This is not a synonym for “easy”. Realistic in this case means ”do-able.” It means that the learning curve is not a vertical slope; that the skills needed to do the work are available. That the project fits the overall strategy and goals of you or an organization. A realistic project may push your skills and knowlege but does not break you or the people working on it.

Devise a plan or a way of getting there which makes the goal realistic. The goal needs to be realistic for you and where you are at the moment. A goal of never again eating sweets, cakes, and chocolate may not be very realistic for someone who loves these foods.

For instance, it may be more realistic to set a goal of eating a piece of fruit each day instead of one sweet item. You can then choose to work towards reducing the amount of sweet prouducts gradually as you go and when it is realistic for you.

Timely

Set a timeframe for the goal; for the next week, in three months,  by fith grade. putting an end point on your goal gives aclear target to work towards.

If you don’t set a time, the commitment is to vague. It tends not to happen because you feel you can start it at any time. Without a time limit, there’s no urgency to start taking action.

Time must be measureable, attainable and realistic.

Everyone will benefit from goals and objectives if they are SMART. SMART, is the instrument to apply in setting your goals and objectives.

Do you use a certain goal setting structure?  If so let us know with a comment bellow.

Tags: Blog Business Plan, Blog goals, Blog plan, Blogging, Goals, Success