The SMART model for setting goals involves creating Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound goals (Cook, 2009). The reason that these components of goals are paramount:
- Specific - so it is evident for both the client and the coach what the client is aiming to achieve.
- Measurable - this allows the client and coach to have a clear way of knowing whether or not the client is making progress towards their goals or have achieved their goals.
- Achievable - if a client’s goals are too large, they may need to break them down into manageable steps. This will give them a clear action plan that will lead them down the road to success. We want them to have achieved success to feel that they are making progress rather than not meeting their goals and getting discouraged.
- Realistic - we need to gauge whether or not the client has the time, energy, resources, etc., to accomplish the goals we set out. Again, we want the client to feel engaged and motivated as they progress rather than stagnant and/or frustrated.
- Timebound is an essential part of goal setting because it gives the client a time frame or reference point about when this goal is to be accomplished. It puts the plan into context. Now we can set the next goal or see what steps we need to take to make this goal happen in the allotted time.
Setting SMART goals is helpful for clients to feel that they are making progress. It is also beneficial for clients to have a concrete plan because we can examine what happened or hindered them if they cannot achieve it. In these cases, we review what happened, the options and then make adjustments to the plan.
Reference
Cook, S. (2009). Coaching for high performance. United Kingdom: IT Governance Publishing.
ICF. (2021). ICF Core competencies. Retrieved from
https://coachingfederation.org/core-competencies
