Set SMART Goals: 5 Characteristics

Last time we asserted that goal-setting is not negotiable, that to achieve success, one needs a destination. So when it comes to writing, what goals should one seek? Before answering that, it might be better to look at the qualities of good goals.

Mind Tools described the process of personal goal-setting nicely in their article “Personal Goal Setting: Planning to Live Your Life Your Way.” (www.mindtools.com) One particularly useful paragraph describes SMART goals. As a mnemonic device, "SMART"  makes an indelible impression of what every good goal needs: Specificity, Measurability, Attainability, Relevance, and Time restrictions. 

At the beginning of a new career, one is tempted to say, “I’m going to be the best ____________ ever!” 

To which I just have to say, "Great attitude. Great aspiration. Rotten goal. At least by SMART standards."

Why? Let's say we fill the blank with writer. “I’m going to be the best writer ever!” 

First observation/question: Specifically (S) what kind of writer are we talking about? Fantasy? Short story? Food? Poems about autistic gerbils? Decide your genre, your forte. State it. Write it down in big block letters above your desk.

Second question: How are you going to measure (M) best? Editorial reviews? Sales? A note from your mom? Pick something that can be quantified in order to know when you’ve reached your objective, like number of books written, number of stories sold, number of references on PBS, or when you receive a request from John Boehner, Nancy Pelosi, and Spot the Wonder Chicken for an autographed copy of your work. You know. Something tangible that says you made it.

Third, ask yourself just how likely are you attain (A) the title “best writer ever”? I’ll grant you that somebody has to be and it might as well be you, but realize you have a boatload of competition for that role. 

Like whom? Well, there have been some pretty nifty authors in the past, there are some more-than-adequate ones in the present, and who knows who's out there in the future? That doesn’t mean you should strive for mediocrity, but you may want to work your way up to “best ever.”

Fourth, even if you’re measuring best by your own standards, just how important is that title? Is being the best writer you know really relevant (R) to a planet of 7 billion people? To America? To your state? To your city? To the bingo club that meets down at the McDonald’s? More importantly, is it sincerely important to you? If it makes you smile, maybe that’s enough. (Okay, maybe you’ve met one of the five.)

Last, what’s your timeline (T)? Remember, ever is a bit amorphous. Besides, there's this thing called mortality. To say that you're going to be the best writer ever may be restricting the progress of eternity.

Let's try something like this: “Within three years, I will publish three fiction novels, two cookbooks based on my love for Slobovian cuisine, and rock the religious world with my tome on ancient wombat worship.” 

YES!! That’s it. It is specific in what will be accomplished (what kind of books and how many). It can be measured (three plus two plus one equals SIX.). It can be achieved (...maybe. With a lot of work, but it can.). It’s relevant (unless you’ve never been to Lower Slobovia). It is time-bound (three years). It’s SMART.

Maybe not so intelligent, though. 

Hmmm.

Maybe it needs a little rethinking and revision.

SMART goals usually do. And that’s okay.