Setting goals is an integral part of any executive coaching process. Without clear objectives that are in line with your values, purpose, and organizational objectives, it can be difficult to know where to focus your efforts to achieve maximum impact. George Doran first coined the acronym SMART Goal, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-limited. Business coaches often use this acronym to help their clients set effective goals.
Keeping goals specific prevents customers from wasting time on unpredictable ideas about how big their companies can grow. Measurable objectives allow customers to easily track their progress. Making goals achievable motivates customers by celebrating small “wins” more often. Analyzing the relevance of objectives allows business owners to focus on actions that move their companies forward, while timeliness helps coaches and their clients to set realistic deadlines for progress. An example of a measurable objective is to edit twelve articles at the end of each workday.
As an executive, you may want to get more benefits from business expansion, but what you're looking for from a coach may not be as easy to define and the results may not be as tangible. To ensure that your goals are SMART, ask yourself the following questions:
- Specific: Is my goal clear and well-defined?
- Measurable: How will I measure progress?
- Achievable: Is this goal realistic and attainable?
- Relevant: Does this goal align with my values and purpose?
- Time-limited: What is the timeline for achieving this goal?
By following the SMART goal framework, you can ensure that your executive coaching journey is successful.
