How to Set SMART Goals and Be Productive

Written By Steph Guillen

Developing proper goal-setting habits is an important skill to cultivate in life. Too often, we all set unrealistic goals or don’t sculpt a viable path to reach our goals successfully. In short, we set ourselves up to fail. A quick assessment of the past five years’ worth of New Year’s resolutions would be proof enough for many. But what are the best strategies and habits to develop around goal-setting to increase our chances of success? 

Here are some insights and tips that have worked well for me over the years.

MIND MAPPING:

Mind mapping is a great way to essentially brain dump and organize ideas and goals you might like to achieve. It doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process, but it can be. Ultimately, do what works for you. I like to set an hour aside every three months to brainstorm new things I want to accomplish and re-work old or in-progress goals to account for anything that’s changed. 

For example, a couple of years ago, I decided on a goal: to write more. But that’s a broad goal and can mean many things. So, in my mind map, I wrote “write more” down and circled it. Then I gave myself ten minutes to think and elaborate: write blog articles, write a book, journal about my day. You get the idea. Whatever your goal(s), make it more specific and give it some honest thought on what you want to accomplish.

BREAK IT DOWN:

Once you have your goal, you need to dissect it. Break it down into more manageable pieces. Otherwise, you risk overwhelm, never starting, or abandoning your goal mid-way through. For my “write more” goal, I decided my first concrete goal would be to write a book. 

Write a book: 

  1. Take a writing class.

  2. Write the book.

  3. Edit the book.

  4. Publish the book.

Hint: Each of these needs to be further broken down into SMART goals.

MAKE THEM SMART:

Any goal must be a SMART goal. That means it’s specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Here’s how I applied that to the “write a book.”

Take a writing class:

  1. Research three potential classes and costs by the end of this week.

  2. Read reviews for each of the three and pick one by the end of next week.

  3. Register and begin the class by the first of next month.

Writing class continued:

  1. Complete lecture on character development this week.

  2. Write and submit the first assignment by the end of the weekend.

  3. Etc.

I broke down each of the four sub-goals within “write a book” and made them SMART goals. Once I finished the writing class, decided on a general story idea, and realistically surveyed my upcoming free time, I revised my goal to “write a short story.” 

WRITE IT DOWN:

Writing all of this down is extremely important. Keeping it all in your head is setting yourself up to fail. Keep a planner and track your progress. Write down successes, no matter how big or small. Write down failures and what you learned from them. Adjust as you go. Put actual dates as deadlines for each of your smart goals and determine what you need to do each day to reach your weekly deadlines. Write them down. Each day, focus only on what you need to accomplish that day. When you finish what you needed to do that day, allow yourself to feel proud of your accomplishment, and don’t worry about what’s on your plate the next day. Be present in the present.

I did end up finishing my short story and publishing it. You can reach your goals too. Maybe you’re in a job search, want to be more creative, exercise more, etc. Whatever it is, write it down, break it down, and make it SMART. You can do it!

#jobsearch #goals #skills #accomplishments #smartgoals

Steph Guillen

I’m an art therapy and counseling master’s degree program student, as well as an artist, writer, and program director with a strong background in communications, photography, art, and job search/employment strategies. I have a passion for uplifting marginalized communities through means that champion knowledge, growth, and empowerment. My professional history largely resides in working with unemployed mid-to-high level executives, refugees, immigrants, and newcomers from the Middle East. I’ve advocated for and empowered these communities through the mediums of online graphic communications, writing, education, workshops, program development, and art.

I combine skills in art, graphics, photography, writing, project management, content creation, social media, advocacy/awareness initiatives, program development, and research to make a positive impact.

Certificates in: Positive Psychology, The Science of Well-Being, Creative Writing, Therapeutic Art Life Coaching, Career Brand Management, and Social Media Marketing. Education in Graphic Communications Technology, Photography, Middle Eastern Studies, and International Relations. Pursuing a competitive M.A. program in Art Therapy & Counseling.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies while working full-time.

• Nominated for membership in Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society, Sigma lota Rho Honor Society, and The Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement.

• Recipient of the Global Goodwill Ambassador’s Humanitarian Award in recognition of years of impactful volunteer work, primarily in the refugee and international arena.

• Inducted into the Golden Key International Society with a 4.0 GPA in Middle Eastern Studies.

• Invited and accepted into the following committees and board: YMCA International’s Refugee College Scholarship Committee five years in a row, YMCA International’s Triumph of the Human Spirit Art Selection Committee two years in a row, United Nations Association of Houston Board Member & Global Classroom Liaison, World Refugee Day-Houston’s Panel Committee and Fundraising Committee.

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