S.M.A.R.T. Goals Can Be Smarter

Perhaps you’ve heard of the S.M.A.R.T. Goals framework:

“Is your goal: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound?”

It’s a great way to make sure you’re setting yourself up for relevant, measurable wins. Props to George T. Doran who’s credited with inventing it in 1981. It’s had a profound impact on how goals and objectives are made and measured in the workplace.

But it’s 2019, and we have more distractions than ever before. We’re working longer hours, doing more tasks, spending more time responding to slacks, pings and things that release dopamine. Goals fall through the cracks; important goals we meant to do two years ago. And sometimes we don’t even notice.

At Caveday, we believe a little update to this framework is needed.

Introducing S.M.A.R.T. - A.R.C. Goals

“Is your goal: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound?

Does it have Accountability, Reminders and a Consequence?”

Specific- Is is tangible?

Measurable- Will you know when you’re done?

Achievable- Is it possible in this time frame?

Relevant- Is it relevant to your overall goal?

Time-Bound- By when will you do it?

Accountability- is there someone who will hold you accountable? Who will check in with who and when?

Reminders- how will you remind yourself of the goal between now and the deadline?

Consequence- is there a positive consequence you can set for yourself if you don’t achieve it? Something that will hurt, but is ultimately still positive or works you towards another goal. Example: no sugar for a week, exercising 4 times in one week.

Adding an “A.R.C” to S.M.A.R.T goals sets you up for success by activating the principles of social pressure and habit formation to propel you towards what you want.

Download our Template here and go arc yourself towards your goals!

Caveday is a company helping people thrive in a distracting world by teaching techniques and skills to empower peak performance. We’ve facilitated over 10,000 hours of deep work over the last 2+ years and teach the science of productivity and create experiences of flow in “The Cave”– our way of removing distractions and helping people push past resistance. Our events and training influence the way thousands of people work globally.