SMART Goals

Turn vague wishes into concrete, measurable objectives you can actually achieve

What Are SMART Goals?

SMART is a goal-setting framework that transforms vague aspirations like "get healthier" or "be more productive" into concrete, actionable targets. The acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Created in 1981 by George T. Doran, SMART goals force you to clarify your thinking and define success in concrete terms. Instead of "I want to write more," a SMART goal is "Write 500 words per day, 5 days per week, for the next 3 months."

The SMART Framework

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S

Specific

Clearly define what you want to accomplish. Who, what, where, when, why?

❌ Vague: Get fit

✅ SMART: Run 3 miles, 3 times per week

📊

M

Measurable

Quantify your goal so you know when you've achieved it. Use numbers, percentages, or milestones.

❌ Vague: Save money

✅ SMART: Save $500/month for 6 months

✅

A

Achievable

Be realistic about your constraints. Stretch yourself, but don't set yourself up for failure.

❌ Vague: Become a millionaire in 1 month

✅ SMART: Increase income by 15% this year

🧭

R

Relevant

Align with your broader objectives. Does this goal matter? Does it move you toward your bigger vision?

❌ Vague: Learn Latin (if not relevant)

✅ SMART: Learn Spanish for upcoming relocation

⏰

T

Time-bound

Set a deadline. Without a timeframe, there's no urgency and goals drift indefinitely.

❌ Vague: Launch a side project someday

✅ SMART: Launch MVP by December 31st

Examples: Vague vs SMART

💪

Fitness

❌ Vague Goal:

Get in shape

✅ SMART Goal:

Lose 10 pounds by exercising 4x/week and tracking calories, complete by March 31st

💼

Career

❌ Vague Goal:

Be more productive at work

✅ SMART Goal:

Complete 3 major projects per quarter using Pomodoro technique, increasing output by 25%

📚

Learning

❌ Vague Goal:

Finance

❌ Vague Goal:

Save more money

✅ SMART Goal:

Build $6,000 emergency fund by saving $500/month for 12 months starting January 1st

How Boost Tracks SMART Goals

Boost's SMART Goals feature helps you:

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Define Your SMART Goal: Set clear objectives with specific metrics, milestones, and deadlines

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Link Tasks to Goals: Edit tasks in Home or Inbox to connect them to your goals for context

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Auto-Track Progress: Goal progress increments automatically as you complete linked tasks

⚖️

Smart Ivy Lee Prioritization: Goal-linked tasks with approaching deadlines get boosted in your daily top 6 suggestions

👁️

Visual Progress Tracking: See all linked tasks, completion percentages, and days remaining at a glance

Best Practices

📝

Write It Down

People who write down goals are 42% more likely to achieve them. Make it visible.

🔢

Limit to 3-5 Goals

Too many goals dilute focus. Pick 3-5 really important ones per quarter.

📅

Review Quarterly

Every 3 months, assess progress, adjust targets, and set new goals.

🏆

Celebrate Wins

When you hit a goal, celebrate! Positive reinforcement builds momentum.

Turn Dreams Into Achievable Goals

Set and track SMART goals in Boost