In my last article, I shared that few people set meaningful goals and even fewer write them down. This results in people performing at a far lower level than they otherwise could and should. As the great sales trainer Zig Ziglar used to say, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”

Setting effective goals can significantly improve your productivity and help you achieve more. Following are some tips to help you set goals that motivate action and enhance your productivity:

• Be Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve. Specific goals provide a clear direction and make it easier to measure progress.
• Make Your Goals Measurable: Set measurable criteria to track your progress. Measurable goals help you stay focused and motivated as you see yourself getting closer to the target.
• Set Realistic Goals: Make sure your goals are attainable. Setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and demotivation, whereas achievable goals foster a sense of accomplishment.
• Create a Timeline: Assign a deadline to your goals. A timeline creates a sense of urgency and helps you prioritize tasks to meet the set deadlines.
• Break Goals Down: Divide larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. Breaking goals into smaller steps makes them less overwhelming and easier to tackle.
• Write Goals Down: Document your goals and keep them in a visible place. Written goals serve as a constant reminder, increasing your commitment and focus.
• Share Your Goals: Share your goals with others to create accountability. Sharing your goals with friends, family or colleagues can provide support and encouragement, as well as hold you accountable for your progress.
• Stay Flexible: Remain open to adjusting your goals as circumstances change. Flexibility allows you to adapt to unforeseen challenges and make necessary revisions to your approach.
• Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude towards your goals. Positive thinking can help you stay motivated during challenging times and maintain your focus on achieving your objectives.
• Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements along the way. Celebrating milestones boosts morale and reinforces your commitment to reaching the final goal.
• Visualize Success: Visualize yourself accomplishing your goals. Visualization can increase your motivation and commitment, helping you stay focused on the result.
• Review and Reflect: Regularly review your progress and reflect on what’s working and what isn’t. Use this reflection to make necessary adjustments and improvements to your approach.

Here are some examples of well-written goals that follow the S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) criteria:

Specific Goal: Increase sales by 15% in the next quarter by implementing a new marketing strategy focused on social media engagement and targeted advertising.

Measurable Goal: Complete a 10,000-word draft of my novel by the end of the month by writing 500 words every day.

Achievable Goal: Lose 10 pounds in two months by following a balanced diet and exercising three times a week for 45 minutes each session.

Relevant Goal: Attain a professional certification within six months to advance my career in the field of digital marketing.

Time-Bound Goal: Launch the new product by the end of the fiscal year after completing market research, product development and testing within the first six months.

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound Goal: Save $5,000 within the next year by setting aside $100 from each paycheck to create a financial buffer for emergencies and future investments.

Each of these examples demonstrates how a well-written goal should be clear, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound, providing a concrete and actionable plan for achieving a specific objective. By following the tips, you can create tailor-made goals that are suited to your personal and professional aspirations.

Naphtali Hoff, PsyD, is an executive coach and the president of Impactful Coaching and Consulting (ImpactfulCoaching.com). He can be reached at 212.470.6139 or at [email protected].