SMART Goals and How to Write Them

Whether you are an entrepreneur, a 9-to-5 office worker, or a stay-at-home parent, you need goals. You will have no idea where you are going and if you’re making progress in the absence of them.

Setting goals using the SMART methodology is an excellent way to get started. It is a method of writing goals that follow specific criteria. So what are “SMART” goals anyway?

It is generally accepted that the SMART acronym was codified in 1981 by George T. Doran, a consultant and former Director of Corporate Planning for Washington Water Power Company, in a paper entitled “There’s a S.M.A.R.T. Way to Write Management’s Goals and Objectives.” In his paper, Doran provides some clarification for readers on applying the SMART acronym:

“‘How do you write meaningful objectives?’- that is, frame a statement of results to be achieved, Managers are confused by all the verbal from seminars, books, magazines, consultants, and so on. Let me suggest, therefore, that when it comes to writing effective objectives, corporate officers, managers, and supervisors just have to think of the acronym SMART. Ideally speaking, each corporate, department, and section objective should be: (SMART).”

— GEORGE T. DORAN

SMART stands for “specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound.” You will see people using its variations, for example, “relevant” or “rewarding” instead of realistic and “achievable” or “action-oriented” instead of attainable. Through the SMART goals strategy, you will have a better understanding of your goals and your motivation.

How To Write SMART Goals?

Setting SMART goals can boost productivity and make it easier to achieve the goals, but how do you write them? Writing them might seem complicated at first blush, but shouldn’t be. Whether it’s your business, personal development, or studies, you can apply the concept of SMART goals.

S = SPECIFIC: First of all, you need to be very specific about what you want to achieve. Be as clear and specific as possible when it comes to objectives. For example, instead of saying that you want to get more profit in a particular financial year, be clear about exactly how much.
M = MEASURABLE: How will you know whether the goal you had set was successful or not? This is why it is essential to have a goal that is not just specific but measurable too. For example, instead of saying you will make more sales, you can set a goal like increasing the sales by at least 10% compared to last year.
A = ATTAINABLE: Is the goal you/ve set attainable or achievable? Often the mistake that so many goal-setters make is that they set goals that are impossible to achieve. It is good to have big dreams, but it is also essential to set goals that seem achievable.
R = RELEVANT: Have you set a relevant or irrelevant goal? Whether you are setting the goal for your business or for your own personal development, it needs to align with your business objectives or personal aspirations.
T = TIME-BOUND: Last but not least, make sure your goal has a specific deadline. Adding a time-bound component to the goal creates a sense of urgency, propels you toward the goal, and boosts productivity. Keep in mind; you need to set the ideal time bound for your goal. Too short or too long and time-bound loses its relevance and power.

The “SMART goals” template makes it easier to write down goals. By writing your goals following the SMART goals rule, you will be clearer about what you want to achieve.

Best Practices for Organizing Your Digital Files

By Kevin Shirley, Associate Broker (DC), GRI, ASP, e-PRO

If you spend most of your time working on your computer, chances are that you end up creating lots of files, documents, and folders every day. Many people even end up storing all their documents locally on the desktop to ensure easy access. But after a few days, you may find it challenging to recognize the folders and files on the system. Moreover, improperly placed digital files may take up most of your valuable time to locate the right folder or file at the right time.

Learning best practices for organizing your digital files is a must. It may help you avoid complications in the storage, sharing, and searching for the desired documents and files. This is essential not just for individuals but also for business owners and employees, especially when working in a shared environment.

Create a folder structure

This may sound complicated at first, but there are generally three basic options for the folder structures. You can organize them based on the file type, data type, and project or client type. This structure ensures easy identification of folders and files so that you can save time while searching and sharing them. For personal files, you can create subfolders such as family, friends, finances, etc.

Stick to a specific organizing system

Once you are ready with the structure, it is better to stick to it for storing different documents. Plan to follow it for at least 3-6 months strictly, and then you will be used to the pattern. It will also help you recognize which things are critical and must be protected with passwords. Also, it ensures an easy optimized file system.

Use default installation folders

It is vital to use default file locations while installing different applications. In window systems, the application program files by default are saved in the Program Files Directory. If you try to install applications anywhere else, it may get confusing over time. Hence, it is better to follow default locations for installations so that you can access the system files easily when needed.

Nest folders

It is useful to create folders within the main folders whenever needed. For instance, when you have designed a folder for financial documents, you can create separate subfolders to store invoices, balance sheets, customer data, and correspondence files. This nested folder system’s primary goal is to locate similar types of files at a specific location.

Back up files regularly

Experts advise following appropriate backup routines for your system folders and files to some other drive. It is better to keep a hard-disk where you can store all your essential documents from time to time. It will save you from trouble even if your laptop or desktop operating system suffers some major issue.

Once you start following these simple tips and tricks for organizing your digital files, it will be easier to manage your routine work without worrying about lost files.