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Goals. For some it's a dreaded word. It means thinking about what you want to accomplish and then putting a plan in place to accomplish it. It can be scary because you may not know what you want to accomplish. Maybe you have not spent any time thinking about it. It can be scary because when you sit to plan your action to archive your goals, the amount of work involve makes the goal seem unattainable. Some people avoid planning on purpose. When you don't have a plan your plans are ambiguous and you can always excuse yourself for not achieving your goals. After all, you didn't commit to anything. You can let yourself off the hook.
I've worked in the corporate world for a long time. I've been trained to work in a business environment that prefers accountability and responsibility. I was trained on the S.M.A.R.T method for setting objectives. My bonus was based on how well I performed in achieving objectives. Between me and my manager we worked out what the goals were for the year. But we needed a framework for knowing if the goals had been met. S.M.A.R.T provided that framework.
For my manager, my yearly objectives needed to be:
- Specific – target a specific area for improvement.
- Measurable – quantify or at least suggest an indicator of progress.
- Achievable/Actionable – things that are not possible are pointless to attempt
- Realistic – state what results can realistically be achieved, given available resources.
- Time-bound – specify when the result(s) can be achieved.
John wanted me to think about my objectives -- goals -- for this blog. This required some thought. I've blogged for so long that the goals for the blog have morphed over time. Time to put some thought into what I want to accomplish. At least for 2015.
I want to develop a writing and publishing routine in 2015. I want to publish a few articles per week, focused on the topic of photography, tutorials/tips, and thoughts on both of those other two topics. I want to encourage more social interaction around the articles I write and I want to write more evergreen content. I'm not sure that is specific enough but that's what quickly came to my mind when I thought about it.
I think I can commit to writing two articles per week (roughly 8 per month). By the end of the year I should have 104 new articles on this blog. I think that's easily measured. Either I have 104 articles or not. More is better but less it not. I don't yet have a plan for increasing more social activity -- comments on the blog or via twitter -- on my posts. I'm not even sure where to start. Perhaps I should remove that goal until I know what to do?
I think I can commit to writing 20-30 minute per day toward my goal. I think this is achievable and realistic. Family, work and volunteer obligations may require adjustment of my priorities. Realistically I don't think I can publish more than two articles per week. This once-day writing scheduling has been challenging.
So that's my S.M.A.R.T objectives for this blog in 2015. What do you think? Achievable? Do you have any tips or ideas that may help? Leave a comment in the box below.
I am taking part in a free online course to improve my writing and blogging skills. Today’s writing prompt is Your Blogging Goals[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
Not many folks use SMART or even know of it. Good to see you are basing your goals upon that. I try to do that with my subordinates and its very hard for them to understand the need. They just want the $$$.
Rewards/incentives must be tied to performance based objectives. Otherwise you are rewarding the go-getters the same as the "meh". The go-getters will go else and you'll be left with nothing but "meh".
Very well stated. Reasonable. Obtainable. And you seem well organized. Unlike myself. I'm very improvisational.
I think you can do 2 posts a week pretty easily, especially if the posts don't require tons of research. That's what stops me from writing too many technical posts, it's exhausting to get all the details spot on.
I like researching and writing technical posts. They are usually in response to question asked by friends and family. I know that I'll want to write at least once and to your point they take a lot of time to write. In fact I have 4 scheduled to go live this month. I want to leave myself room to be tired.
I think the best place to start with your social activity just put it out there and let people read it if they want to see what works and then tailor your posts around what works. I think the social activity is already begun, since I landed up on the post via talk.desk.pm.
Cheers!
Good point.