What are SMART goals? SMART goals are a strategic framework built around five core elements: Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, and Time-Bound . Instead of vague resolutions or open-ended aspirations, SMART goals transform ambition into a clear plan that defines the outcome, the metrics, the behaviors, and the timeline. They shift you from “I hope” to “I will.” Why were SMART goals created? The model emerged from decades of organizational psychology research showing