Setting goals and creating a clear roadmap for how you’ll reach each goal increases your chances of success. It enables you to decide on a plan and prioritize your time and resources to make progress and to eventually reach your goals. Our free goal setting template printables will help you set your goals step-by-step.
When you set a goal make sure it is SMART. There are different versions of this acronym. I have listed some options and you can use the version that you like best.
S – Specific or Significant
M – Measurable or Meaningful
A –Attainable, Achievable or Action-oriented
R – Relevant or Rewarding
T – Timely or Trackable
SMART goals have a higher chance of success since they are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. Every goal can be made S.M.A.R.T. and as such, have a better chance of becoming reality.
SMART Goals Template with Action Steps
Fillable PDF | Word | Excel
Fillable PDF | Word | Excel
The PDF version is editable and you can type on it. However, if you prefer working with Excel, then select the goal setting template Excel format. The Word version is helpful if you want to edit the template.
SMART Goals Worksheet
Use our free printable SMART goals worksheet PDF to ensure that your goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely. The SMART goals template will help you ensure that your goal is SMART and thus increase your chances of success. If you want to work on more than one goal then make a few copies of the printable goal sheets.
Fillable PDF | Word | Excel
Fillable PDF | Word | Excel
Specific
Goals that are well defined, detailed, and clear have a much greater chance of being reached. To make a goal specific, try to relate to the five “W” questions:
- Who needs to be involved to achieve this goal?
- What do I need to do?
- Where will I reach this goal?
- When will I reach the goal by?
- Why do I want to achieve this goal? This is important to keep you motivated and on track and to ensure that the goal is meaningful and worth your time and energy.
Example of a vague or non-specific goal: I want to lose weight.
Example of a specific goal: I want to lose 14 pounds within the next three months by eating clean food only and working out at the gym five days a week. I will feel much better about myself if I lose this weight.
Use the SMART goal sheet to answer each of these questions.
Measurable
A goal must be measurable so that you can measure your progress and determine if you are on track. You should be able to tell when you reach your goal.
Example: My goal is to lose 14 pounds and to work out five days a week.
Achievable
The goal should require work and not be too easy but should be attainable with some effort on your part. Take into account your available time, skills, financial status, and whether you have the ability to achieve the goal.
Example: I know that I can lose 14 pounds since I have done it before. I have also worked out 5 times a week before so I know that it is achievable.
Realistic
A goal must be realistically achievable within the given time frame and with the available resources.
Example: Since it works out to be about 1 pound a week which is a realistic weight loss my goal is realistic.
Timely
A goal must have a start and finish date. Try to set a day, date, and time for it.
Example: I will start now and reach my goal in 3 months. I will exercise five times each week and lose about 1 pound each week for 3 months.
It is important that your goal is positive. You want to focus on what you want to do and not what you don’t want to do. What you focus on, increases. So when you focus on not doing something, then that will increase too.
Download the SMART goal setting worksheet template in black and white or color above.
See our goal tracker and goal planner.
Thank you!