Why ‘So Many Asses (w)Rite These’… S.M.A.R.T Goals
Ok, so I confess that some goal setting and planning is a necessary evil. Once you have a mental picture of your desired professional future, you should begin some planning and goal setting. It is said that failing to plan is planning to fail.
This assumes a career is a project, a series of activities that deliver a result. I do believe that for some people it is. Sadly I’ve never been one of those. I see plans as helpful – to an extent. There’s a balance between planning and flexibility and this may differ by personal preference.
My plan has been simple – do the job well, deliver tangible results and get noticed by the right people. I guess within that there is some elements of the S.M.A.R.T model for goal setting. So let’s mention it (apologies for those who’ve already been bored rigid by this in corporate performance management seminars)...
The S.M.A.R.T acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. It’s a good way to move from wishy-washy statements like ‘will get better at stuff’ to a clear and tangible deliverable. Great for business goals and targets – a less perfect fit for career directions.
· Specific: This means that your plans and goals must answer the question, “What will be done”, What will be achieved”. You know your plan has this when it can be written plainly in a few lines. For example, A plan could state something like, “I will be ranked as one of the best minds/authorities in Data Science in the next 5 years”. You remove as much ambiguity and vagueness as possible.
· Measurable: The only way to know if you’re making progress is if you can measure some progress. Your plan should have a way of judging the amount of progress you have made in approaching your overall goals. For example, you should hold periodic evaluation of your skills, as well as comparing them to your intended goals. This aspect answers the question “how do I meet/exceed expectations”, “How do I rate my progress”. For example, a measure could state something like, “I will be ranked as one of the best minds/authorities in Data Science in the next 5 years – achieving a profile as one of the ‘30 under 30’ in Big Data Quarterly”. (I have no idea if this is a thing in Big Data Quarterly… but many other professional magazines like to list the 30 most successful/impactful people under 30 years of age in the profession. See also ’40 under 40’. I haven’t yet seen ’10 under 10’ but I don’t read many school magazines).
· Achievable: This aspect ensures that your plan/goal is actually possible, and more specifically possible for you. it answers the question “can it be done with the resources I have available to you”. One good way to ensure this is to look at those who have gone ahead of you and note how they achieved their goals.
· Relevant: You must ensure that every short-term plan or goal you select is actually connected in some way to the overall goal. It must answer the question “Should this be done?” This will help you weed out unnecessary things and focus on the essentials. Does anyone read Big Data Quarterly, and if so is being in the ’30 under 30’ valuable exposure that can lead to career opportunity? If so then this is relevant. If not then get your ego back in check and identify a goal that’s more relevant!
· Time-Bound: Your plans and goals are only realistic and achievable in the context of time, it answers the question “When will it be done”. This will help you keep in check your progress and make adjustments as necessary.
A high-level plan for your career is useful tool to help you succeed and do so quickly. The vision and ‘direction of travel’ is essential and specific plans may also be helpful in support of this.
It’s been said by wiser folk than me that ‘a fool with a plan will outsmart a genius without one’. A solid plan is what differentiates a fantasy from a goal.
However, planning is also a refuge for folks who fear taking action. Planning is not, in itself, progress. It is not an action taking you forward. Don’t confuse planning with doing. Used wrong, planning and re-planning becomes ‘structured dreaming’.
Don’t get stuck in planning. While you’re busy writing, on a Tuesday morning, your Daily career SMART objectives…. Someone else is taking your next job.