Quick Summary: These SMART goal examples show how to turn vague intentions into clear, actionable goals. Use them as inspiration when writing your own, and download the worksheet for step-by-step guidance.
Sample SMART Goals
In our Setting SMART Goals article, we explored how to structure goals so they are specific, measurable and easier to follow through on. These examples highlight exactly how a general intention transforms into a SMART goal. You can also download the SMART Goals Worksheet to write your own.
Overcome Your Fear of Presenting
| Before | After (SMART Goal) |
| I want to feel more confident presenting. | I will strengthen my presentation confidence by completing a presentation skills course in Q1. I will practice twice per month, recording and reviewing each session. Before major presentations, I will rehearse at least one week in advance and seek feedback from two trusted colleagues. |
Be a Better Coach
| Before | After (SMART Goal) |
| I want to become a better coach. | I will hold one structured coaching conversation each week with each of my six team members. This will help them build confidence in solving challenges independently and free more of my time to focus on strategic work. |
Build Your Network
| Before | After (SMART Goal) |
| I want to grow my network. | I will increase my professional network by 15% by year-end by attending two events per month such as industry meetups, networking coffees or conferences. I will track new contacts monthly to measure progress. |
Earn My PMP Designation
| Before | After (SMART Goal) |
| I want to get my PMP certification. | I will write the PMP exam by September. I will study the PMBOK® Guide for six hours weekly and complete an exam prep course. I will meet with two certified PMPs for advice and join a study group to stay accountable. |
Improve My Productivity
| Before | After (SMART Goal) |
| I want to be more productive. | I will improve my productivity by setting monthly, weekly and daily priorities, scheduling focused work blocks during my peak energy times and delegating where appropriate. I will reduce email checks to five times per day and limit personal social media use to 30 minutes daily. |
Become a Leader
| Before | After (SMART Goal) |
| I want to grow as a leader. | I will find a mentor by the end of Q1 and read one leadership article or book per month. I will complete a leadership development course by Q3 and take on at least two informal leadership opportunities at work or through volunteer roles. |
Strengthen Strategic Thinking
| Before | After (SMART Goal) |
| I want to think more strategically. | I will strengthen my strategic thinking by pausing before reacting to ensure alignment with organizational goals. Each quarter, I will meet with colleagues to understand their priorities and identify opportunities for efficiency. Monthly, I will lead discussions with my team to connect our work to strategic objectives. |
Ready to create your own SMART goals? Download the SMART Goals Worksheet for guided support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an example of a SMART goal for improving presentation skills?
A SMART presentation goal could be: “I will complete a presentation skills course in Q1 and practice twice per month, recording each session to measure improvement.”
What is a SMART goal for becoming a better coach?
A SMART coaching goal is: “I will hold one structured coaching conversation each week with every team member to build capability and independence.”
How do I write a SMART goal for productivity?
A strong productivity SMART goal clearly states how you’ll focus your time. For example: “I will set weekly priorities, schedule focus blocks and limit email checks to five times per day to increase output.”
What makes a goal SMART instead of vague?
SMART goals define the desired outcome, how it will be measured, the timeline and the specific actions you’ll take. Vague goals express a desire; SMART goals describe a plan.
Where can I find more SMART goal examples?
This page includes several examples, and you can download the SMART Goals Worksheet for templates and prompts.
What is a SMART goal for leadership development?
A SMART leadership goal could be: “I will find a mentor by Q1, complete a leadership course by Q3 and take on two informal leadership opportunities this year.”
How do I write a SMART goal for career growth?
A SMART career goal identifies a specific action, a measurable outcome and a timeline. For example: “I will expand my network by 15 percent this year by attending two events per month.”
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