How To Set SMART Goals for 2024
We’ve all tried setting new resolutions for the new year. The question is — are we getting any of them done?
When our dreams are too vague, we end up forgetting them by the time February rolls in. Think about it: how many fitness, career, or travel goals have you planned and eventually abandoned over the years?
To make those dreams a reality, we need to be more intentional by making our goals SMART.
What are SMART goals?
“A goal is a dream with a deadline”
SMART stands for:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Timebound
Companies use the SMART framework to achieve business goals, but you can use it to crush your personal goals as well.
How?
The SMART goal-setting framework helps digital nomads and remote workers turn dreams into reality by:
Breaking big goals into small, actionable steps
Fighting overwhelm —
— and encouraging self-accountability
Now, how do we set SMART goals? Let’s break them down:
Setting SMART goals for 2024 and beyond
To set SMART goals, we need to dig a little deeper. Let’s go over these elements one by one:
Specific
First, let’s make those goals as specific as possible. Instead of being vague, zoom into something clear and specific. For example:
Instead of wanting to “be a digital nomad”, try setting a goal like “to work remotely while traveling to at least one local destination per quarter”. Or perhaps instead of saying you’d like to be healthier, set a weight loss goal or a new personal best record.
Keeping your goals as specific as possible helps you create a concrete game plan.
To create specific goals, ask yourself the following questions:
What do you want to achieve?
Who’s involved in making it happen?
Where does your goal take place?
When do you want to achieve it?
How do you plan on achieving it?
Measurable
Now that you’ve set a specific goal, let’s measure your progress. What does success look like for you? How do you know that you’re on track?
Numbers and analytics help businesses create measurable goals for themselves. That’s why they have annual, quarterly, and monthly goal-setting sessions. You don’t have to go technical if you don’t want to, but you can adopt something similar for yourself.
For example, if your goal is to save P50,000 in 6 months, then being able to save P4,200 per payday should keep you on track with your goal. You can then use a tool like Google Sheets or Excel to record your progress.
Measuring your progress can come in other forms, too. Maybe you want to improve your hydration and finish 2 big water bottles a day. You can create a daily tracker for that. Wanna get in shape? Record before, during, and after videos to document your progress.
Having measurable goals motivates us and helps us pivot when challenges arise, so keep this in mind when setting your goals!
Achievable
Aside from being specific and measurable, your goals should be achievable as well. They should be ambitious, but realistic.
You see, setting too big goals may end up in disappointment. On the other hand, you may lose valuable growth opportunities when you set them too low. The key is finding the balance between something challenging but achievable.
For example, instead of aiming to travel the world in 30 days, why not travel around Southeast Asia for 6 months? This goal poses a challenge, but it’s still within your reach.
Keep it challenging but realistic.
Relevant
What’s the point of achieving your goals if they’re not relevant to you in the first place, right? Why spend time and energy achieving something that you don’t believe in?
That said, your goals need to be aligned with your values, What kind of future do you want to see?
I know it’s a loaded question, so here’s a quick exercise to help you gain clarity on that front:
Imagine that you’re already retired. How do you picture yourself and your loved ones? And more importantly, are you taking steps to make that future possible?
My ideal future, for instance, is to be able to live a pure and simple life. I see myself living on a farm or ranch, surrounded by my grandchildren, and telling them stories from my youth. Living a pura vida lifestyle is paramount for me, which is why my goals usually revolve around finding balance, diversifying my income streams, and doing flexible but meaningful work.
Now, your turn. What do you consider valuable in your life? Are you taking steps to bring that future to life?
Remember, we only get to live one life. Make sure that you live yours well by setting relevant goals.
Time-bound
Last but not least, your goal needs to have a deadline. Putting a time element spurs you into action and, at the same time, helps you set clear expectations for yourself.
For example, if the goal is something that you can realistically do within a short period, you’ll be inspired to get it done fast. If it’s a longer-term goal, then you’ll learn how to give yourself the patience and grace to grow through the whole process.
So, when can you realistically achieve your goal? Within a week? A month? A quarter? Write it down and stick to it as much as possible. Doing so encourages accountability and boosts motivation.
How to execute your SMART goals
Now that you know how to set SMART goals, it’s time to make them happen.
The key is to make sure that you can see your goals all the time. You don’t want to keep them out of sight and out of mind. Writing them down and tracking your progress using a physical journal or digital planner can help you stay on track.
Aside from that, you can also try:
Creating a vision board to stay inspired
A vision board is a collage of your goals and ideal outcomes (a new car, a trip to Siargao, more time with the family, etc.). If you’re a visual learner, creating one helps you stay inspired and motivated. Put your vision board on your desk, stick it on your refrigerator door, or make it your phone wallpaper.
Breaking long-term goals into milestones
If you’ve got a big, long-term goal, try breaking it down into quarterly, monthly, or weekly milestones. Do things in phases instead of tackling it all in one go. Then, you can also reward yourself for each milestone you achieve.
Do a sprint
Did you know that startups go on 6-week sprints to achieve short-term goals? Here’s how it goes:
They set a super specific goal for 6 straight weeks and then their teams essentially focus all their energies toward it. After the sprint, they rest and evaluate their progress for 2 weeks. Then, they start all over again! This method can be super helpful to get you out of a slump or spur your momentum.
Have an accountability buddy
Ask a friend or family member to be your accountability buddy throughout your journey. You can set goals together and keep each other motivated through regular check-ins and catchups. Most importantly, your accountability buddy can call you out when they notice that you are slipping from your goals.
Make your goals happen this year
Everyone makes New Year’s resolutions. This year, shake things up by actually creating SMART goals. By keeping your dreams specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound, you can actually make them happen.
What goals do you want to achieve this year?
