A mental model for setting detailed, actionable objectives, the SMART principles imply that goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
By the SMART rubric, goals should be delineated concretely ('Specific'), have definitive endpoints or checkpoints ('Measurable'), remain within the realm of possibility ('Achievable'), align with wider objectives or motivations ('Relevant'), and be tightly scheduled with clear deadlines ('Time-bound').
For instance, instead of just saying 'I want to get fit,' one could set a SMART goal: 'I will go to the gym and workout for 30 minutes three times a week for the next eight weeks to lose 5kg.' This provides a clear goal, a way to measure achievement, feasibility, relevance to personal health, and a timeline.
