Updated September 29, 2016

SMART goal setting. which is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Based, is an effective process for setting and achieving your business goals.

Follow the process outlined in the SMART Goal Setting Worksheet. and then review the following examples that provide clear and easy-to-follow SMART goal samples.

As you review the sample SMART goals below, notice how each example below outlines several sub-goals, or specific actions, that will need to take place in order to accomplish the overall goal.

Each of those smaller goals can be applied to the SMART criteria in the same way as shown here.

Broad Goal: I want to start a business.

• Specific: I will sell handmade cards through Etsy.com.
• Measurable: I will be ready to take my first Etsy order within four weeks, and I will aim to sell a minimum of five cards per week.
• Attainable: I will get set up on Etsy first. Then, I will build an inventory of 30 handmade cards to sell. Finally, I will promote my business and build customer relationships through word of mouth. referrals and local networking .
• Relevant: Selling handmade cards will allow me to benefit financially from my favorite hobby.
• Time-Based: My Etsy store will be up and running within four weeks, and I will have an inventory of 30 cards to sell within six weeks.

SMART Goal: Within a month, I am going to get set up to sell handmade cards on Etsy, which will allow me to benefit financially from my favorite hobby.

Within six weeks, I will have an inventory of 30 handmade cards to sell and aim to sell a minimum of five cards per week, building customer relationships through word of mouth, referrals and local networking.

Broad Goal: I want to grow my business.

• Specific: I will acquire three new clients for my consulting business.

• Measurable: I will measure my progress by how many new clients I bring on, while maintaining my current client base.
• Attainable: I will ask current clients for referrals, launch a social media marketing campaign and network with local businesses.
• Relevant: Adding additional clients to my business will allow me to grow my business and increase my revenue.
• Time-Based: I will have three new clients within two months.

SMART Goal: I will acquire three new clients for my consulting business within two months by asking for referrals, launching a social media marketing campaign and networking with local businesses. This will allow me to grow my business and increase my revenue.

Broad Goal: I want to write a business book.

• Specific: I will write a book on social media that is a minimum of 150 pages.
• Measurable: I will write one chapter per month, or 3-5 pages per week.
• Attainable: I will work on the manuscript first, and once that is completed, I will begin to search for a publisher or explore self-publishing.

• Relevant: Writing a book on social media will help me establish myself as an expert.
• Time-Based: My manuscript will be completed and ready to be published in 10 months.

SMART Goal: In order to establish myself as an expert, I will write a 150-page book on social media by writing one chapter per month (3-5 pages per week). The book will be completed in 10 months, and then I will search for a publisher or explore self-publishing.

Broad Goal: I want to become a well-known expert.

• Specific: I will become a well-known expert on the topic of small business accounting.
• Measurable: I will be successful if I am asked to speak publicly on the topic at least once a month, receive interview requests every week and write one article per month for a top industry publication.
• Attainable: I will accomplish this by acquiring the services of a PR/publicity firm and launching a publicity campaign.
• Relevant: Establishing myself as a small business accounting expert will reinforce my 20+ years of experience in the field and allow me to reach more small business owners who need accounting advice.
• Time-Based: I want to be considered a small business accounting expert in two years.

SMART Goal: I will acquire the services of a PR/publicity firm and launch a publicity campaign that will help establish me as a well-known expert in small business accounting who is asked to speak publicly on the topic at least once a month, receives interview requests every week and writes one article per month for a top industry publication. This will reinforce my 20+ years of experience in the field and allow me to reach more small business owners who need accounting advice .