Annabel and Erika are college freshmen taking up a bachelor’s degree in Accountancy. Whereas both of the girls have exemplary records in their respective high schools (both of them graduated on top of their class), anyone who has read the girls’ assignment on their respective goal in college could easily predict that Erika will do better. Compared to Annabel’s “I’m gonna do well in class” goal, Erika bravely has her eyes set on the goal of “Managing my time well to be able to get a 3.4 grade-point average in all my subjects”.

Obviously, Erika knows about educational smart goals. Just an FYI, SMART goal is an acronym for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound goals. Here are a few examples of educational smart goals:

• Educational smart goals are specific—there is no room for vague goals which are overwhelming and unachievable. Your goals need to be detailed, concise and clear. Instead of saying “I’m going to study better”, an educational smart goal says “I will devote 2 hours every night to do my schoolwork”. The educational smart goal version of “I’m going to finish my term paper” is “I will begin doing my term paper a month before the deadline.”

• Educational smart goals are measurable. Time frames, dates, amounts – anything that could measure your success – are essential as they provide the means to help you determine whether you have attained your goal. Rather than aiming for “better grades”, target a particular grade-point average by the end of the semester.

• Educational smart goals are attainable. Take action not a reaction—in short, be realistic in your goals. Graduating on top of the class may be unlikely if your consistently on probation or if your average is just 2.2. Try aiming for a 3.0 instead—with a lot of effort that is more realistic.

• Educational smart goals are relevant. Goals need be set up with a clear purpose. If your goal is to ace your mid-term exam in biology that is four days away, don’t get distracted by starting on your home reading report that is not due for another week.

• Educational smart goals are time-bound. Goals need to have a starting point, a time frame and an ending point. Working on a detailed thesis paper is praiseworthy, but not if you only have one week to finish it.

If you want quality and consistent improvement in your life, goal setting is a process you must master. And students are not exempted from this fact. Knowing how to set goals is an indispensable capability for students. But what is even more essential is that students make their goals smart. Indeed, goal setting is an important skill students must have—and it is a most daunting thing to master. But taking time to make your educational goals specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound might make all the difference. Here we have more smart goals examples to give you a better idea of how you can apply this to your daily routine.

Bruce Hemingway has two things in common with Batman. One, he shares the same name with billionaire Bruce Wayne, the Dark Knight’s “alter ego”. Two, he rescues people, but the only difference is that while Batman does this with his Batmobile, Batcave and martial arts, Bruce Hemingway does this by being a life coach.

Life coaches like Bruce Hemingway or Tony Robbins dedicate their life to the craft of guiding, educating and training an individual or a group of people with the aim to achieve a goal or develop a skill. Exactly what do life coaches do? Read this to find out:

• Life coaches lend a hand to clients in determining and achieving personal goals by applying methods such as mentoring, values assessment, behavior modification, behavior modeling and goal setting.

• Life coaches play the part of a “sounding board”. Clients see life coaches as people who listen to them and give them sincere feedback.

• Life coaches are motivators—they are ready to offer support when clients need a self confidence boost and be a lamppost to guide them which direction they should be taking.

• Though some coaches have a background in counseling, they engage their clients in a process that is different than a therapy session. Whereas therapists delve into the healing of past wounds, life coaches motivate you in examining your present situation and moving your life forward. Moreover, therapists aid the problematic whereas life coaches help the healthy people perk up their lives.

• They help you take the time out to evaluate your life and open your eyes as to why your life is not working the way you want it to.

• They help you create inspiring goals, locate and throw away hidden beliefs that limit your potential, keep you focused and positive.

Does your life need a coach? If amidst all your responsibilities, projects, activities and accomplishments you still feel a void in your heart and if there’s a tiny voice that tells you, you are going the wrong way then you definitely need a life coach to guide you to the right track. But remember, life coaches are only there to help you—you are in control of the coaching process, YOU ARE IN CHARGE of where your life will be going.

Jenn has never really liked making plans. Being a spontaneous person, she hates the idea of setting objectives for the future. To her, everything should be done and taken in the here and now. Then Jenn hit a bump in the map of her life. She lost her job due to her company’s downsizing and found herself back in the pool of unemployed. For the second time in her life (the first being her college days), she had to set her goals straight in order to get back on track.

If you are like Jenn, then you also need to set your goals in order for you to move ahead in life. But how do you set your goals and achieve them? The following bulleted points could help you.

• Setting goals does not immediately mean that you will get results. They can disappear like long forgotten memories – particularly if you don’t do anything with them.

• Keep that fire burning! You have to keep your goals in mind and put them to heart. You don’t have to think of them 24/7 but you have to be constantly reminded of them so that you don’t lose track of what you are supposed to do.

• You can have your own vision board or board of dreams or whatever it is that you would like to call your shrine of the things that you want to achieve. Why settle for a mediocre writing list that could be so boring and so uninspiring? You should release your creative energies! Perhaps you like photo mosaic, if so then why not collect photos of your dreams and turn them into your portrait? Images are usually a great source of inspiration.

• You should focus on your goals. Set your goals sharp, definite and detailed. That way, you have an inkling regarding your next step.

• Set a time frame for your goals. In this manner, you do not become lax or forgetful. As a bonus, the elation that you will experience once you achieve something within your designated time frame will provide you with more motivation for pursuing your other goals.

• Have measurable goals. Your goals must be attainable. Don’t make them too small that they end up restricting your potential or too big that they end up making you feel that you are not progressing.

• Measure your progress. When you set your goals, you have to realize that it is essential for you to be able to measure your progress as this would keep you going in the right direction.

• Include inspirational messages / statements / thinking and positive words when you set your goals.

• Prioritize. It is natural for you to have many objectives, many dreams and many desires. However, try to avoid being overwhelmed by them and prioritize those that you deem as more important. Remember, it takes one step at a time to get to the finish line.

• Carry with you a written reminder of your goals so as to crystallize them. This could be a simple note stored in your blackberry or in your cellular phone. However way you want to write them down, carry your list with you so that they appear as real as they could.

• Set your goals realistically. This means you should be able to achieve your goals through your skills and capabilities. Dream about things that are plausible. You can’t dream of becoming the next Angelina Jolie if you don’t know the first thing about acting.

• Finally, if you fail in meeting your goals, don’t lose heart! Just learn from that experience! The key to success is learning from failure.

The above is basically a summary of the many ideas that one could use when setting goals and achieving them. If you are in need of the aforementioned suggestions then, just remember that to set your goals is equal to making that important choice in your life. Keep in mind that when you set your goals, you set your life.

Mr. Stewart gave each of us a piece of paper with an instruction to write one of our life’s goals. After ten minutes, he collected the papers. You know what? Every piece of paper was crumpled except for Annie’s –“By September 2nd of 2009, I will position myself for a minimum raise of 9% of my salary by reducing the department’s budget by 9% but increasing its sales by at least 9%”. Then, with a smile, Mr. Stewart said: “Ladies and gentlemen, we have an example of a smart goal version of saying I want a raise!”

Smart goals? Yes, you heard it right. Here are some 101’s on these goals and some examples of smart goals:

• Specific. You know what you want to accomplish. Vague goals equate to vague results. Goals must be fully furnished with detailed description of the what, when and how.

Vague goal – I will graduate;
SMART Goal – I will graduate Magna Cum Laude in four years time. I will commit myself to studying to get a minimum 3.679 grade-point average in all my subjects.

• Measurable. You can assess your progress. Goals which can not be measured can not be managed. Your goal is measurable if anyone can tell you at the end of the deadline, whether or not you have completed your goal.

Vague goal – I want to be successful;
SMART goal – I want to have a savings account with at least $500,000 within 5 years from this date.

• Attainable. Your goal must be within your reach in your present situation. High goals that stretch you are okay, but high AND realistic goals are better. Unattainable goals can not motivate you. Easy goals on the other hand are not challenging enough. Thus, they do not contribute to your growth.

Vague goal – I want to be rich in three months;
SMART goal – I want to be rich in 8 years by starting my own food business and attending business and management seminars and workshops.

• Relevant. Goals need to be parallel to your purpose in life. Relevant goals are a sure way to direct your efforts towards attaining something that is concentrated to who you are as a person. Goals are simply instruments to accomplishing one’s mission/purpose in life.

Vague goal – Within a year, I will become a politician with large sums of money at my disposal;
SMART goal – By the end of the year, I will become a leader who will fight to increase productivity and tourism in my country.

• Time-Sensitive. Goals need to have deadlines. A goal free from time element is susceptible to procrastination.

Vague goal – I will do my research paper;
SMART goal – I will start doing my research paper by 7 tonight and finish it by 7 pm on the next day.

The aforementioned illustrates how you can make your goals smart. There are also examples of smart goals contrasted with vague goals above. Yes, success depends on goal setting—but not just plain goal setting. You have to make your goals smart!

And for you? What are your examples of smart goals?

Teacher Stephanie instructed us to jot down at least five of our goals for the next five years. After which, she requested us to evaluate each of our goals if it was ’smart’.

Hold your horses, smart goals? What the heck are they?

And as if she saw right through that big question mark on my face, Teacher Stephanie began explaining about SMART goals:

• Smart goal is an acronym for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely goals.

• Specific. Your goal must be detailed. You must know the Who, What, Where, When, Which and Why of your goal.

• Measurable. Your progress in your goal attainment must be concretely measured. When progress is measured, one stays on track. And as you reach your target dates, the bliss you experience will motivate you to work harder to achieve your goals.

• Attainable. Identify goals important to you. This way you can figure out strategies to achieve them. Plan your steps wisely and establish a time frame. Goals need to stretch you a little so that you will have real commitment to them.

• Realistic. Goals ought to represent an objective you are WILLING and ABLE to do. No, realistic here is not synonymous to easy but rather to ‘doable’. Aim high, but make sure you have the right attitude and skills to reach big goals. Always having small goals is not exactly advisable either as they limit your potential. A realistic goal pushes and stretches the individual, but it does not break him.

• Timely. A goal should be anchored on a time frame—otherwise there is no urgency in accomplishing it.

After learning about smart goals, we evaluated our own goals. Most of us, myself include, found out that our goals had tidbits of the elements composing smart goals but not all of them. And, as what Teacher Stephanie said, “Make the necessary changes to make your goals smart”. I will.