How to write effective SMART-steps?
#TLDR: Creating #powerful and #impactful SMART-steps is half the battle in #professional #progress
SMART-steps drive progress at PB-JAM. During each session (and after as well), it is critical for each participant to put tangible SMART-steps in place.
PB-JAM platform shows your SMART-steps in every session. So, let's quickly review some key characteristics of SMART-steps that are expected for documentation in PB-JAM.
- Start with a verb (e.g. Complete, Review, Schedule, Discuss, Read, Present, etc.)
- Be succinct (normally, not longer than 10-15 words)
- Be finite (don't put "Change the world" as an action, for example)
- Be tangible (don't put action that can't be measured, e.g. "Change the world")
- Be achievable (instead of stating, "Change my manager's perspective", better to state, "Understand my manager's perspective")
- Clear due date (No open ended/ongoing actions)
- Measurable progress (Your peers should be able to judge if you have made progress on an action or not)
Some examples of good SMART-steps:
- Identify and document every Monday my top 3 to-dos for next 4 weeks
- Introduce myself to 5 new people at work using elevator speech
- Be on time for 10 or more meetings over next 3 weeks
Some examples of not so good SMART-steps
- Try to be concise in my communications
- Make my work network wider
- Don't be late for meetings
That's it! What do you think are your best practices for effective SMART-steps? Share with us!