Written By: Ayanna Troutman, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Fellow.
As a postdoctoral research fellow, my days are filled with balancing research, mentorship, and professional development. The task of juggling priorities has taught me the value of setting goals—not just any goals, but S.M.A.R.T. goals. This method has transformed the way I approach my work to ensure I am maintaining focus and achieving tangible results. As we begin a new year, it’s the perfect time to adopt this framework to set purposeful intentions and create a roadmap for success in both your professional and personal life.
So, what exactly are S.M.A.R.T. goals? The acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Each component provides a key ingredient for creating meaningful objectives. Let’s break down each one and discuss how you can apply it in your daily life.
S: Specific – Clarity is Key
A goal should be specific enough to effectively guide your efforts. Ambiguity leads to procrastination and lack of accountability. For example, instead of saying, ‘I want to improve my research skills,’ a specific goal would be, ‘I want to improve my proficiency in qualitative data analysis using NVivo software.’ The latter clearly defines what needs to be accomplished.
To make your goals more specific:
Daily Tip: Start each morning by listing one specific task you want to accomplish by the end of the day. For instance, ‘Draft the introduction section of my manuscript’ is far more actionable than ‘Work on my paper.’
M: Measurable – Tangible Milestones
How will you know when you’ve succeeded if you can’t measure your progress? Measurable goals allow you to track improvements and adjust your efforts as needed. For instance, if you aim to write more, quantify it: ‘Write 500 words per day on my manuscript.’
To make your goals measurable:
Daily Tip: Use tools like spreadsheets, project management apps, or even a simple to-do list to track your progress. For example, if your goal is to publish an article, break it into steps: brainstorming, drafting, revising, and submitting. Check off each step as you complete it.
A: Achievable – Realistic Yet Ambitious
Setting a goal that’s too far out of reach can lead to frustration and even burnout. It’s important to challenge ourselves, but goals should still be attainable given your resources and constraints. For example, as a postdoc, aiming to publish ten articles in one year may not be feasible. A more achievable goal would be to submit two articles for publication within six months.
To ensure your goals are achievable:
Daily Tip: Break larger tasks into smaller tasks to make them more manageable. For example, if you’re working on a grant proposal, you might concentrate on completing one section per day rather than trying to finish the entire document in one sitting.
R: Relevant – Align with Your Priorities
Identifying relevant goals ensures they align with your long-term objectives. As an early career researcher, I constantly ask myself, ‘Does this goal contribute to my overarching career goals?’ For example, if your priority is building expertise in your field, attending a specialized workshop might be more relevant than joining a general networking event.
To make your goals relevant:
Daily Tip: Reflect on your to-do list and ask, ‘Which task will bring me closer to my ultimate goal?’ Focus on activities that add value to your overall mission, whether it’s acquiring new skills or completing high-impact projects.
T: Time-Bound – Create Deadlines
Deadlines provide motivation and prevent goals from lingering. A time-bound goal specifies when you’ll achieve it to help create a sense of urgency and commitment. For instance, ‘Complete my literature review by March 1st’ sets a clear timeline compared to ‘Work on my literature review.’
To make your goals time-bound:
Daily Tip: Use a planner or calendar to allocate specific times for tasks. Block out one hour each day to tackle a project and stick to it. For example, designate Monday afternoons for grant writing and Friday afternoons for analyzing data.
Bringing It All Together
As the new year begins, setting S.M.A.R.T. goals can provide the structure and clarity needed to tackle new goals. By setting goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, you can create a clear path to success, whether you’re simply striving for work-life balance, managing a complex research project, or developing new skills.
Here’s an example of a S.M.A.R.T. goal I could set for myself: “Submit at least three conference proposals focused on my research about Black girls’ mental health by February 14th.” It’s specific (submitting three proposals is clearly defined), measurable (the number of proposals provides a clear metric), achievable (manageable within my current workload and timeline), relevant (aligns with my research focus and professional goals), and time-bound (the deadline is set for February 14th).
Now it’s your turn to reflect: What S.M.A.R.T. goals will you set to guide your efforts? Whether you’re conducting research, leading a team, or pursuing personal growth, this method can help guide you to success—one step at a time.