This is a simple step-by-step tutorial to help you use a template to set S.M.A.R.T. goals. (The full template is available at the end of the tutorial)

The Reason For Goals

The theory behind why we set goals is to ensure "success." The purpose of goal setting the proposition that those who set goals for themselves are more likely to achieve success than those who do not.

The five principles of effective goal setting are:

• Clarity - Goals need to be clear and easily understood.

• Challenge - High enough level of difficulty that you actually have to push yourself in order to achieve them.

• Commitment - Without a high level of commitment, it’s difficult to achieve any goal.

• Feedback - You need information about how well you are progressing toward your goal.

• Task Complexity - The more complex a goal is, the more time you need to give yourself to achieve it.

What Are SMART Goals?

S.M A R T goals are goals which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This specific criteria is easily remembered by using the acronym S-M-A-R-T.

The idea for SMART goals is credited to Peter Drucker’s Management by Objectives concept.

The concept also received a big boost in popularity when Professor Robert S. Rubin wrote about them in an article for The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Now that we’ve clearly defined SMART goals, it’s time to dive into the application, which is Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals.