SMART Goals
The SMART Goals Template: Turn Any Wish Into a Plan in 3 Steps
A wish you can picture is exciting — but a wish you can plan is the one you'll finish. This free SMART goals template turns a vague idea into a specific, measurable plan in three short steps.
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A goal you can picture is exciting. A goal you can actually plan is the one you'll finish. The SMART goals template is what bridges that gap — it takes a vague wish and turns it into a specific, measurable, do-able plan you can start working on today.
When you're ready to set your goal, first write it out in one or two sentences. Then check that draft against all five criteria of the SMART method to make sure you've thought of everything you need to. New to the framework? Start with what SMART goals are and come back — the template below does the heavy lifting from there.
Step 1 — Write Down Your Initial Goal
Don't worry if it isn't quite SMART yet. Just get the idea out of your head and onto the page; you'll refine it in the next step using the template.
Initial goal example: I want to write a sci-fi novel.
It's a lovely intention, but as it stands there's nothing to measure, no deadline and no plan. That's exactly what Step 2 fixes.
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Step 2 — Make It Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound
Now run your draft through each SMART criterion in turn. Use this table as your checklist:
| Criterion | What to check |
|---|---|
| S (Specific) | The goal should be specific: if you say something is "more" or "earlier", state exactly by how much. |
| M (Measurable) | How will the result be measured? If it can't be counted, there must be a clear end point to reach. |
| A (Achievable) | Are the methods you've chosen actually relevant to the goal? |
| R (Relevant / Realistic) | Does this goal genuinely matter to you? And how realistic is it? |
| T (Time-bound) | By what deadline should the goal be achieved? |
Rewrite your goal until it clears every row. Our foggy novel wish now becomes a proper plan:
SMART goal example: I'm going to write a 60,000-word sci-fi novel in six months and wrap it up on January 31. To do that, I'll write 2,500 words a week.
- Specific: I'm going to write a 60,000-word sci-fi novel.
- Measurable: I'll finish 60,000 words in six months.
- Achievable: I'll write 2,500 words a week.
- Relevant: I've always wanted to be a professional writer.
- Time-bound: I'll finish the book on January 31.
Want more inspiration before you fill in your own? Browse a set of ready-made SMART goal examples across work, fitness and learning.
Step 3 — Track Your Progress
Once your SMART goals are set, keep checking in on them so you actually reach the results you're after. Reviewing your progress on a regular basis makes it easy to spot what went wrong and what to adjust so it works better next time.
That's the whole template: capture the idea, sharpen it against the five criteria, then measure as you go. Prefer to fill it in by hand? Grab a printable template and keep it somewhere you'll see it every day.
One honest caveat before you start: the SMART method is a fantastic planning tool, but it isn't the only one. It's worth knowing the pros and cons of the SMART method so you can lean on it where it shines.
Frequently asked questions
What is a SMART goals template?
It's a simple worksheet that walks you through turning a rough idea into a SMART goal — one that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. You start with your initial goal, run it through the five SMART criteria, and end up with a single sentence you can actually plan around.
How do I use the SMART goals template?
Work through three steps. First, write down your initial goal without worrying whether it's perfect. Second, refine it against all five SMART criteria until it becomes specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Third, track your progress regularly so you can adjust what isn't working.
What does a completed SMART goal look like?
Here's a worked example: 'I'm going to write a 60,000-word sci-fi novel in six months and finish it on January 31, writing 2,500 words a week.' It names the outcome, the measure, the method, the reason and the deadline — everything a vague goal like 'I want to write a novel' leaves out.
