A SMART goals template for your business

Here is your Smart Goals template, adapted from the neuro-linguistic programming goals process.

Goal: “An aim or an end in mind.”
Aim: relates to direction
End: relates to outcome

S: specific/simple/stretch/significant
M: measurable/meaningful/motivational
A: act as if it has been achieved/agreed upon/attainable/ acceptable/action-oriented
R: realistic/responsible/relevant/reasonable/rewarding/results-oriented
T: toward what you want/timed

Principles for success:

• Know your outcome
• State the goal in the positive. What specifically do you want? (don’t want – unacceptable)
• Take action
• Flexibility (behavioural & process)

Keys to an achievable outcome:

• Stated in the positive. What specifically do you want? (don’t want – unacceptable)
• Specify present situation. Where are you now? (Looking through your eyes)
• Specify outcome. What will you see when you have achieved your goal? What will you hear when you have achieved your goal it? What will you feel when you have achieved your goal.
• Stated ‘as if now’; make it compelling; insert in the future (be sure you see yourself in the picture).
• Specify your evidence procedure. How exactly will you know when you have achieved your goal?
• Is it congruently desirable? (Is it fair/reasonable/moral, are you aligned with it?) What will this outcome get for you or allow you to do?
• Is it self-initiated and self-maintained? (Can you do it on your own/as a team?) It needs to be for you and achievable by you.
• Is it appropriately contextualized? Where do you want it? When do you want it? How do you want it? And with whom do you want it?
• What resources are needed? What do you have now and what do you need to get your outcome? Have you ever seen or done this before? Or do you know anyone who has? Or can you act as if you have it?
• Is it ecological? For what purpose do you want this? What will you gain if you have it? What will you lose if you have it? What will happen if you do get it? What won’t happen if you do get it? What will happen if you don’t get it? What won’t happen if you don’t get it?
• Create your goal statement.

Pollyanna Lenkic is the founder of Perspectives Coaching, an Australian-based coaching and training company. In 1990, she co-founded a specialist IT recruitment consultancy in London, which grew to employ 18 people and turnover £11 million ($27 million). In this blog, Pollyanna answers questions from our readers on issues they are experiencing while leading or being part of a team. She offers insights on teams and team dynamics. For support and information on team days run by Perspectives Coaching see here.