S .M. A. R. T

S is for SPECIFIC

When you set a goal you should be very clear in you mind of exactly what that goal relates to.... Simply stating that improvement is desired does not give a target of how much an improvement is needed.

M is for MEASUREMENT

Any goal set should always be capable of being measured in some way. Use objective measures to measure goals.

A is for ADJUSTABLE

Goal setting is always described as a dynamic process and as such you need to be able to alter goals. If your progress is faster, or slower, than your originally been hoped for you need to be able to change your goals in order to set the most appropriate target.

R is for REALISTIC

Goals must be realistic, a common error is to set a goal which cannot be achieved. Goals must be challenging but they should not be so challenging that you never manage to complete a goal. If you never complete a goal, you lose confidence in yourself or give up trying.

T is for TIME-BASED

All goals should be have a specific time-frame. That is to say that you should always identify a point in time when the goal has to be achieved. There is another way of viewing goals as time based. In general, there are three time periods for setting goals short term, medium term and long term. If you view goal setting as a staircase, each individual step is a short term goal. The bottom step can be seen as today and the very top of the staircase can be some specific point in time in the distant future. By successfully climbing each step you will progress up the staircase towards your final goal. Always write your goals down and leave them in a visible place!!