Setting 'S.M.A.R.T' Goals as a Blogger + Downloadable Worksheet!

Let's talk goal setting!
Today I'm going to give you advice that will make your goal setting one-hundred times easier, but also, that will make your goals something that you can actually complete and will look forward to completing. In this post, I'm not just going to share with you how to plan out your goals but I'm going to share specific details with you about creating S.M.A.R.T Goals! For many of you, I know the question is coming to your mind: "Krystal, what are S.M.A.R.T Goals?" and this is a question that is one of the most important one's to answer and the answer is something you will want to refer back constantly. As a Marketing Graduate, the concept of S.M.A.R.T Goals was consistently drilled into us, because this is a topic and a practice THAT ACTUALLY WORKS! I decided to take my knowledge of S.M.A.R.T Goal Setting and condense the topic down so that it works for the blogger in all of us!

What are S.M.A.R.T Goals?

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Acheivable
R = Result-Focused
T = Time-Bound

S.M.A.R.T Goals are not that much different from regular goes EXCEPT that S.M.A.R.T Goals have a higher tendency to work (from personal experience). Of course, if you don't stick to any goal it's never going to succeed but the likelihood of you wanting to reach these goals is much higher. Let's start off with S, which mean's Specific! You want to make sure that your goals are simplistically written and clearly define what you are wanting to accomplish. Imagine writing your goals in a way that a fifth grader would understand them. The M is for Measurable, these goals should be well, measurable but the most important part is they should provide evidence of when you have accomplished them as well as the steps to get there. A is for Achievable, there is no point to a goal that you can't achieve. Make sure your goals slightly challenge you but don't cause you to not want to complete them. R is for Result-Focused and this means to shift your brain from thinking of the activities you need to do to complete the goal and start thinking about the overall finished product. These goals are generally one's that benefit another goal or another product you are working on. And finally, the T is for Time-Bound goals! These are quite simple, just like in high school or college when you had an assignment due on a certain day your goals will also have this deadline. Be sure to pick a deadline that works with your schedule and with the goal and to challenge yourself each time when setting these goals decrease the timeline.

How will making S.M.A.R.T Goals benefit my blog?

Any and all goals will benefit many aspects of your life. Just because they are labelled S.M.A.R.T Goals doesn't mean they will help your blog or life succeed any more than regular goals. Its just the process that's different. By using this process to build specific, measurable, achievable, result-focused and time-bound goals you will have a larger view of the bigger picture for when the goals are accomplished. You will also want to accomplish these goals more.

Here are some benefits to goal setting:
+ Allows you to analyze and grow or improve a situation
+ Allows you to see progression in an activity or yourself
+ Allows you to see a sense of purpose in what you are looking to complete
+ Stress-free way to organize your life as well as your present and future plans
+ Increases productivity in your everyday or long term tasks

How do I go about completing S.M.A.R.T Goals?

One of the main things I struggle with is completing a goal, or only completing the goal halfway. When looking at your S.M.A.R.T Goals it's really important for me to break them down into further steps. For example, if I decide one of my goals is to make pizza, I first need to look for a recipe, see what I need for ingredients and so forth. Breaking down my S.M.A.R.T Goals into smaller steps or smaller goals allow me to see more of a progress and not feel so overwhelmed with the bigger picture.

Here are some other ways that can help:
+ Spread out your goals over a series of weeks or months
+ Don't spend too much time focusing on one specific goal, move on
+ Don't create a 2 or 3-page list of goals, because you know you won't complete them all

What if I don't want to create S.M.A.R.T Goals?

There is no rule saying you have to create S.M.A.R.T Goals! You have to choose whatever method is the best for you. If taking out a piece of paper and writing down everything you want to accomplish works, then do that! But remember by making S.M.A.R.T Goals you are gaining more of an understanding of what needs to be done, why it needs to be done and how it can be done. You are also allowing those goals to stick in your mind and to create a clear and understandable routine to complete exactly what you want to.

Creating S.M.A.R.T Goals is a personal experience and no one can really come along and change the way you goal set. But by giving you tips, tricks and a free worksheet I can help you better plan out goals that can be successful. S.M.A.R.T Goals are just one of the many ways that I have become successful as a blogger and I wanted to pass that knowledge onto those looking to start a brand new chapter in 2016!

Need help setting S.M.A.R.T Goals? Download my Printable Worksheet!
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