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January 2021
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Make SMART Goals SMARTER: Lessons from 2020 About the Importance of Reflection and Change in Goal Creation
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Make SMART Goals SMARTER:
Lessons from 2020 About the Importance of Reflection and Change in Goal Creation

Setting goals to start off the new year is an important tradition. While we do not always stick to these plans, taking some time to reflect on our lives and envision what the future could hold provides a burst of energy that can take us far.

Last year, we encouraged everyone to set SMART goals, or goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely, in order to help them achieve what they wanted to accomplish. However, 2020 was not the amazing, productive year many were hoping for, and many were likely hindered from reaching their goals. In light of all of the changed plans in 2020 and all of the personal growth and exploration many of us have been forced into, we at Thinking Organized think that it is time to embrace SMARTER goals for 2021.
What are SMARTER goals?
The “E” and the “R” in this acronym stand for “Evaluate” and “Reflect/Readjust.” Once you set a goal and start to pursue it, you cannot just leave it alone and assume things will work out; you must evaluate and assess how you are doing and whether you are likely to meet your goal. You may also need to reflect or readjust your goals if you do not make the progress you imagined. The turmoil of 2020 taught us many lessons; one of these is that we must keep moving forward, even if the world around us is uncertain. SMARTER goals allow you to continue making progress when the unexpected happens; even though every year will not be quite as unprecedented as 2020, surprises still happens. Circumstances change and motivation fluctuates, but goals should not necessarily be abandoned because of this. 
Creating SMARTER Goals
Here is an example of what SMARTER goals can look like. In this scenario, a high schooler wants to improve her Physics grade. She evaluated and readjusted her goal after working on it for half of a semester.

First Half of the Semester
  • Specific: I want to earn an A in Physics this semester.
  • Measurable: If I want to earn an A, I will need my average grades to remain consistent at 90% or higher, especially on big assignments like the midterm. In order to achieve those grades, I will do practice problems for 30 minutes each weekday and study for an hour beginning five days before a test.
  • Achievable: I scored between 85-100% on the majority of my Biology and Chemistry assignments these last two years, so I feel confident that I can earn similar grades in Physics because I have always been interested in science-based classes. 
  • Relevant: Science is my favorite subject, so I am very motivated to perform well in my Physics class. After graduating from high school and college, I would like a career in the STEM field. In order to make that a reality, I need to learn the information from my Physics class well so that I can apply to a good STEM college and find a good job afterwards. 
  • Timely: My goal will be reached by the end of the semester; I’ll stop and evaluate when we are halfway through to see if I am on track. 

Midway Through the Semester
  • Evaluate: I got a C on my midterm, so I will need to calculate what grades I need to make on the rest of my assignments to get at least a B+ for the semester. Additionally, I will meet with my teacher to understand what I answered incorrectly on the midterm so that I can avoid similar errors on future assignments. By doing that, I can see whether the material was complex, whether I rushed through my work, or whether I did not spend enough time studying. 
  • Readjust/Reflect: I should increase my study time before each test to two hours, and I should go to office hours with my teacher once a week to review material and ensure I fully comprehend it. When I meet with my teacher, I should ask if there are extra credit opportunities to help increase my grade. I will also work with a friend to create a study guide before each test.

In this example, the student did not achieve the high score she wanted on her midterm test, but still had an opportunity to do well in the class. She did not give up on her goal but needed to adjust it. While not reaching your original goal can be frustrating, reflection can help you understand what you need to do differently. Physics is a hard class, so having a B+ still shows that she is working hard. The student might realize that she was putting more effort into another class that she found more difficult and did not have the time she wanted for Physics, or maybe she underestimated how many practice problems she should complete when preparing for a test. That level of reflection can assist her in making the necessary changes to help her accomplish her goal. Being kind to ourselves while also pushing ourselves to do better through well-defined actions is a necessary part of goal setting. We can learn from mistakes and use that knowledge to reach new levels of success.
How to Effectively Evaluate and Reflect
In order to effectively make SMARTER goals, it is important to use concrete tools to measure your progress. When you can see how close you are to reaching your goal, you feel more motivated to keep up your current level of effort or adjust it. 

  • Use a goal-tracking sheet. Tracking your measurable goals on paper is an easy yet efficient way to help you reach your goals. When writing down the progress you made, ask yourself some tough questions. For example, how many Physics practice problems did you complete every day? How long did you actually study for the test?  Writing this information down allows you to honestly reflect on your efforts and make necessary adjustments.
  • Create check-in points. Picking check-in points when setting a timeframe for your goal enables you to more effectively determine if you are making tangible progress towards your goal. Depending on when you want to meet your goal, this will impact the check-in points you will want to create. For instance, you should evaluate your progress at the end of each week if your final goal should be met in a month. If you have a year-long goal, you should assess your progress every month. 
  • Keep a reflection journal. Whether you want to keep a journal by hand or on the computer, it is important to write out what went well and what did not in your journey to meet a new goal. Writing down your progress and thoughts will help you learn from your mistakes and celebrate your wins. 
Final Thoughts
Many of us hope that 2021 will be much different. You cannot always change the world around you, but you can always strive to make yourself a better version of who you are. Evaluating how you are doing and changing whatever you need to move your life forward should be emphasized as essential for goal creation. We at Thinking Organized are here to help you meet all of your goals. Ask us to help you create SMARTER goals to ring in the new year, and please feel free to use our SMARTER goals worksheet to help you on your journey!
TO BLOG
The Screen Fatigue is Real

One of the questions that I often get from friends and family when they learn about my work with Thinking Organized is what to do about screens. Many parents struggle with handling the constant, unrelenting draw that screens have for their children. Like most things, COVID-19 has turned that problem on its head. Millions of children around the country, and their parents, now dread the hours and hours a day they’re required to spend in front of their computer. Days spent glued to a screen can make anyone start to feel disconnected from the world. As we all set to making our New Year’s resolutions, I can’t think of any more appropriate than helping to break the dread hold that Zoom has on all of us.

As you look to break the spell in 2021, consider these options...