At Christ Kitchen, we aim to walk alongside our employees and help them reach their goals. We use the SMART Goals framework to help employees establish goals that are meaningful, achievable, and effective. Examples may include earning a GED or high school diploma, obtaining a driver’s license, losing 10 pounds, reading the Bible in a year, and much more. With God, anything is possible, and we encourage every employee to have at least one goal they are actively working toward.
The acronym SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. This approach helps individuals and teams clearly define their objectives, track their progress, and increase their likelihood of success.
SMART GOAL COMPONENTS
SPECIFIC:
Goals should be clear, well-defined, and leave no room for ambiguity. Instead of setting a vague goal such as “get in shape,” a specific goal might be, “Lose 10 pounds by [date].”
Ask yourself: What do you want to accomplish? Who needs to be involved? When do you want to accomplish it? Why is this goal important?
MEASURABLE:
Goals should be quantifiable, with clear measurements that allow you to track progress and determine success. There should be a source of information or a specific benchmark that indicates whether the goal has been achieved. For example, “I would like to have $2,000 in my savings account six months from now.”
Ask yourself: How will you measure your progress? How will you know when you have successfully achieved your goal?
ACHIEVABLE:
Goals should be realistic and attainable, with the necessary skills and resources available or accessible. A goal should be challenging without being overwhelming, allowing you to stretch your abilities without becoming discouraged.
For example, to obtain a driver’s license, you may need to save money, register and pay for driver’s education, make time in your schedule for classes, obtain a Washington State Driver Guide to study, and earn a learner’s permit.
Ask yourself: Do you have the skills required to achieve this goal? If not, can you obtain them? What is motivating you to pursue this goal? Is the effort required appropriate for what the goal will help you accomplish?
RELEVANT:
Goals should align with your overall objectives and priorities. Make sure the goal is meaningful, worthwhile, and contributes to a larger purpose.
Ask yourself: Why am I setting this goal now? Does it align with my overall objectives and priorities?
TIME-BOUND:
Goals should have a clearly defined deadline or timeframe for completion. A deadline creates a sense of urgency and helps with planning, focus, and accountability. For example, “Complete the project by the end of the month.”
Ask yourself: What is the deadline, and is it realistic?
BENEFITS OF SMART GOALS
INCREASED CLARITY:
Breaking goals into specific components helps clarify what needs to be accomplished, why it matters, and how it can be achieved.
IMPROVED FOCUS:
With a clear path forward, individuals can focus their efforts, time, and resources more effectively.
ENHANCED MOTIVATION:
Seeing progress and reaching milestones increases motivation and encourages continued effort.
GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY:
Measurable and time-bound goals make it easier to track progress and hold yourself and others accountable.
As a potential Christ Kitchen employee, please list three SMART goals on the following pages. These goals will help us know how to pray for you, research helpful resources, and commit to walking alongside you as you work toward achieving them during your employment.
