SMARTER Goals

6th GradeSMART Goals

Microsoft, 2011

Review: SMART Goals

• The acronym SMART can stand for different things.

• Listen carefully to this video.– What does SMART stand

for?– How is this the same or

different than the meaning we learned last week?

Review: SMART Goals

• SMART Goals are:SpecificMeasurableAchievableRelevantTimely

Adapted from Doran, 1981

Microsoft, 2011

SMART Goal Example

My goal:I will graduate from

medical school in 14 years.

Microsoft, 2011

Objectives

• Today’s objectives are to:Review what we learned about setting

SMART goals

Learn strategies for achieving your goals

Learn how to make goals SMARTER

Pre-Test

1. What is the third step in goal setting after you have set your goals?

2. What does the “E” stand for in the acronym “SMARTER” and what is a question you should ask yourself when you do this?

3. What is one strategy you can use to persist in meeting your goal?

Becoming a Goal Getter

• Setting goals is only the first step in achieving your dreams.

• It’s not enough to set a goal and forget about it!

• Step 3 is to develop an action plan.

Step 3: Make an Action Plan

• For each short-term SMART goal you’ve written:– Brainstorm everything you’ll need to do to reach

your goal.• Cross out any ideas that don’t seem useful and combine

those that are similar.

– Determine a logical order for the things that you will need to do to reach your goal.

– Set deadlines for each action you need to take to meet your goal.

– Determine who you may need to help you reach your goal and share your goal with them.

Action Plan - Example

• My Short-term SMART goal is to improve my science vocabulary this semester.– I know that building my science vocabulary will

help me to do well in science now and will help me to prepare for all of the science classes I have to take in the future in order to be ready for medical school

• Brainstorm - What steps can I take to reach my goal?

Action Plan - Example

• Which ideas don’t seem useful or realistic?• Which ideas are repetitive and can be combined?• In which order should I take these steps?– Set deadlines for each action you need to take to

meet your goal.• What tools or resources do I need to accomplish

these steps?• Who can help me take these steps and reach this

goal?

Your Turn

• On your own paper, choose one of the short-term SMART goals you wrote last class.

• Develop an action plan for achieving that goal.– Follow the steps on your Goal Getter’s Guide

Your Turn

• On your own paper, choose one of the short-term SMART goals you wrote last class.

• Develop an action plan for achieving that goal.– Follow the steps on your Goal Getter’s Guide

Review: Goal Setting Steps

Step 1: You’ve defined your dreams

Step 2: You’ve written your SMART goals

Step 3: You’ve developed a plan for meeting your goals

Now – you need some strategies for putting your plan in action and persisting

Step 4: Put Your Plan in Action!

• Use the time and resources that are available• Give yourself an award for meeting a small step

toward achieving your ultimate goal• Recruit a friend or adult to be you goal coach. Ask

them for help in getting started.• Make time! You may have to give up something else.• Use a planner and schedule in time for working on

your goal.• Use the Naviance To-Do list or make your own and

cross off the tasks you complete.

Step 5: Don’t Give Up!

• Ideas for persisting:– Check-in with yourself and your goal.

• Think back to the original goal and why you set it. Is it still something you want to accomplish? What is stopping you? Do the steps you set up for reaching the goal still make sense? Do you need to add in more steps? Do you need to adjust the timeline?

– If you’re having trouble reaching your goal, ask for help!– Take control where you can.

• Focus on being positive.• If things don’t turn out like you expected, focus on what you

learned in the process.• Appreciate what you have accomplished.• Learn from mistakes

Step 6: Making Goals SMARTER

• E = Evaluate– Evaluate your progress regularly.• Did you complete your to-dos?• Are you making progress toward your goal?• Did you meet your goal?– If yes, how? What helped you reach your goal? Did

you put in your full effort?– If no, why not? What kept you from reaching your

goal? What can you do differently?

Step 5: Making Goals SMARTER

• R = Revise– Revise your plan or goals as needed.– Are your goals the right goals?

• If you accomplished your goals, write new ones.• If you didn’t accomplish your goal, consider if you need

to revise your goal or your plan. – Is there another step you need to take before you can reach

your goal?– Is your goal achievable and relevant?– Is there someone who can help you?– Are there resources you need that you don’t have?– Are there skills or knowledge you need to gain before you can

accomplish your goal?

Post-Test

1. What is the third step in goal setting after you have set your goals?

2. What does the “E” stand for in the acronym “SMARTER” and what is a question you should ask yourself when you do this?

3. What is one strategy you can use to persist in meeting your goal?

Review

• 7 Steps in the goal setting process:Step 1: Define your dreams

Step 2: Write your SMART goals

Step 3: Develop an action plan

Step 4: Put Your Plan in Action

Step 5: Don’t Give Up

Step 6: Make your goals SMARTER – Evaluate and Revise

Step 7: Reward Yourself for Your Progress

Review

• SMARTER stands for:–Specific, Measureable, Achievable,

Relevant, Timely, Evaluate, Revise• Discuss: What are some strategies

for persisting?

References

• What Do You Really Want? How to Set a Goal and Go for It! A Guide for Teens by Beverly Bachel, 2001

• Doran, G. T. (1981). There's a S.M.A.R.T. way to write management's goals and objectives. Management Review, 70(11), 35-36.

• Microsoft Office Images. (2011). Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/