SMART Goals
The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score. -- Bill Copeland
What does SMART mean?
To make your goals are clear and reachable, they must be SMART, i.e.
Specific,
Measurable,
Achievable,
Relevant,
Time-bound.
We explain the definition of each acronym in the following.
How to use SMART goals?
- Specific
Your goal should be clear and specific. Otherwise, you will not be able to focus your efforts or feel truly motivated to achieve it.
Example
Suppose that you are a M1 student student and would like to be ready for the research. A specific goal could be "I want to gain the skills necessary to study interpretable machine learning".
- Measurable
A measurable goal must answer the question "how will I know when it is accomplished?". Measurable goals help you track your progress and stay motivated.
Example
You might measure your goal of acquiring skills necessary for interpretable machine learning by determining the number of tutorials you are planning to complete.
- Achievable
Your goals need to be realistic. That is, it should stretch your abilities but still remain possible.
Example
You might need to ask yourself whether gaining the skills is realistic according to your experiences and qualification. For example, do you have the time to complete the planned tutorials effectively? Are the necessary resources available to you?
- Relevant
This step is about ensuring that your goal matters to you, and that it also aligns with other relevant goals. A relevant goal can answer "yes" to these questions:
Does this seem worthwhile?
Is this the right time?
Does this match our other efforts / needs?
- Time-bound
Every goal needs a target date. For example, 6 months from now, 6 weeks from now, etc.