When was the last time you set a goal and actually stuck to it? If you’re like most people, goals often start with a burst of enthusiasm but fizzle out before the finish line. What if we told you that there’s a proven framework to help you not just set goals but crush them? Enter the SMARTER goals framework.

This transformative method didn’t just fall out of the sky. It traces its origins back to General Electric’s innovative SMART approach to goal setting. Over time, others have enhanced it. The version we like best comes from Megan Hyatt Miller. She advocates the SMARTER framework—a set of seven powerful attributes designed to ensure your goals aren’t just aspirational, they’re achievable. Let’s break it down.

1. Specific: Clarity is Key

Imagine setting out on a road trip without a destination. That’s what vague goals feel like. When goals are too vague, they don’t inspire and it’s harder to focus on them. A specific goal doesn’t just describe what you want; it outlines the who, what, and why. Try to identify exactly what you want to accomplish.

2. Measurable: What Gets Measured Gets Managed

Progress without metrics is like running a marathon without mile markers. Measurable goals let you track your journey. Without some sort of measurement, how can you tell whether you’ve accomplished your goal? 

3. Actionable: Start with a Verb

Since goal setting is all about giving yourself a path towards the future, start with a strong verb. For example, “hire two new associates” or “walk 12,000 steps a day.” Goals aren’t wishes; they’re actions waiting to happen. Use verbs to give yourself directions. 

4. Risky: Raise the Stakes

Here’s a twist: playing it safe might be the riskiest move of all. Goals should challenge you. While General Electric’s original framework emphasized realism, today’s SMARTER goals embrace ambition. Research shows that setting “safe” goals is counterproductive. People don’t try as hard or feel as much accomplishment when they succeed. And a risky goal focuses your mind and your effort. You can’t just keep doing more of the same. In fact, you may need to do something completely different. For more on this, read 10X is Easier than 2X, by Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan. It gets a bit woo-woo in the middle, but the concepts around setting really big goals are excellent. 

5. Timebound: Deadlines Drive Results

A goal without a timeline is a dream on hold. Whether it’s a one-time accomplishment like launching a new service or an ongoing habit like weekly client check-ins, deadlines create urgency. Use time triggers, streak targets, or start dates to keep yourself accountable, and put those important dates in your calendar.

6. Exciting: Stay Motivated

Clearly, you’re going to work harder to achieve a goal that excites and inspires you, right? When your goals excite you, you’re more likely to stick with them. Tie your goals to a larger vision—something that sparks joy or aligns with your purpose. Motivation is your secret weapon.

7. Relevant: Align with Your Values

To be effective as a goal, what you set as your target, what you’re looking to achieve, has to be relevant to your life. Do your goals align with your values, long-term vision, and current circumstances? If yes, you’re more likely to overcome setbacks and persevere.

Why SMARTER Goals Matter

Setting SMARTER goals is more than a productivity hack—it’s a mindset shift. By focusing on specificity, measurability, actionability, risk, time, excitement, and relevance, you’re equipping yourself with a blueprint for success.

Got questions about setting SMART goals and staying on track? This is exactly what we help our coaching clients achieve every day. If you’re ready to take the first step toward building a law practice you truly love, we’d love to chat. 

Book a free strategy session and discover the actionable steps you can take to transform your practice and achieve your goals.

- Karen and David