Setting and Achieving SMART Professional Development Goals
Professional development is essential for anyone who wants to stay ahead of the curve and be the best at their craft. But how do you set goals for your professional development? The answer is by using the SMART goal-setting method.
The SMART method is a tried-and-true way to set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based. Let’s break down each component of a SMART goal so you can start setting realistic goals for your professional development today.
SPECIFIC: A specific goal is one that is clearly defined and easy to understand. When setting a specific goal, you should answer the five “W” questions: who, what, where, when, and why. When setting a goal, you should be clear about what you want to achieve. Vague goals such as "I want to get better at public speaking" are difficult to measure. Instead, try something like "I want to be able to give a presentation in front of clients and colleagues with confidence.”
MEASURABLE: Your goal should be something that you can track and measure progress on. To make your goal measurable, set milestones that you can use to gauge your progress. Using the previous example, a good way to measure progress would be to record the number of presentations you give in front of large groups and look for opportunities to get more practice. You could also get some training and attend a professional development course such as our Public Speaking Masterclass.
ACHIEVABLE: Make sure that your goal is something that you can actually achieve within the given time frame. Be realistic and set a goal that is challenging but not impossible.
RELEVANT: Ask yourself if your goal is something that is genuinely relevant to your career or personal professional development. There's no point in setting a goal that isn't going to help you in some way.
TIME-BOUND: Set a deadline for yourself so that you are accountable and motivated to achieve your goal within a certain timeframe. A good way to do this is to break your goal down into smaller objectives that you can achieve in a shorter timeframe, and then work towards the larger goal.
Achieve Your SMART Goals With Professional Development Training
A professional development course is a great specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound way of achieving your professional goals. Whether you are looking for advanced learning around a specific topic, or broad skills development to help you take the next step in your career, InPD offers professional training courses suited to all abilities and interests.
From sector-specific courses such as our PCN Development Programme to advanced training such as our Non-Executive Directors’ Development Programme for aspiring managers and business leaders, we have something for everyone. Our short masterclasses are perfect for regular professional development, whilst our extended professional development courses offer prestigious accreditations and certifications to enhance your credentials. Browse our range of virtual and face-to-face professional development courses and find out how InPD can help you achieve your SMART goals.
