An HBR article wrote about some goal-setting methods that managers should avoid and one of these is to stop setting S.M.A.R.T. goals. It only tells you how clearly written your goal is, not about if it’s actually a good idea. A goal can be S.M.A.R.T. but not strategic; smart, not wise. 

The purpose of goal-setting is not to predict the future perfectly. Instead, it’s to get you focused on the right things. Which begs the question: how do you know if you’re focusing on the right things? 

This week’s episode is the third in a row on the topic of strategic goal setting. Today, I’ll be sharing principles to help you understand how to make sure you are setting goals that aren’t just SMART, but also strategic. For 2021, you should be setting goals that are:

• Aligned with your priorities
• Reflective of your desired outcomes for your business, not just a list of tasks
• Attainable – something you can achieve for the year
• Challenging

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HBR: 3 Popular Goal-Setting Methods that Managers Should Avoid