Crush Your Goals Every Time: The SMART Way to Goal Setting

Reaching big goals can feel impossible unless you’re that rare person who seems to crush every ambitious target on their list.

What’s their secret? Here’s the good news: with the right system, anyone can set and achieve incredible goals, again and again.

In this article, we’ll break down the approach shared by Torie Mathis, host of the Smart AF show and experienced entrepreneur, to help you master your own goal setting with the proven SMART formula.

Why Most Goals Fail

Ever set a New Year’s resolution or a bold business target, only to watch it fizzle out by February? You’re not alone. The problem often isn’t your ambition; it’s the way your goals are set. Vague, wishy-washy goals lack structure, leaving you without a clear path or sense of progress.

Enter the SMART goal formula, a system beloved by successful entrepreneurs for good reason. SMART isn’t just a clever word; it’s an acronym that stands for:
Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.

By running each of your goals through this filter, you build clarity, focus, and motivation right into your ambition, giving yourself the best chance of seeing real results.

Setting Effective SMART Goals

Let’s explore how to break down even the biggest vision into a set of achievable, motivating SMART goals, just like Torie teaches:

1. Specific

Vague goals like “get fit” or “grow my business” rarely go anywhere. Instead, a SMART goal drills down: “I want to go from 165 pounds to 155 pounds,” or “I want to make $5,000 a month.” The more detail, the better this clarity makes it obvious when you’ve hit your target and leaves no room for confusion.

For massive ambitions, break them into smaller, highly specific milestones. Each mini-goal builds momentum and keeps you on track.

2. Measurable

How will you track your progress if you can’t measure it? A SMART goal answers this by using numbers or at least a concrete finish line. Think of it like running a race, if there’s no end, how do you know if you’ve crossed the finish line? Use clear metrics so you can monitor your wins and course-correct if needed.

3. Attainable

Dream big, but stay grounded. SMART goals stretch your abilities without being unrealistic. For example, aiming to lose 100 pounds in 90 days or gain a million followers by next week isn’t just unlikely, it’s demotivating when you fall short. Your goals should push you, but remain within the realm of the possible, both physically and mentally.

4. Realistic

This goes hand in hand with attainability. Your goal should align with your available resources, knowledge, and timeline. Losing 10 pounds in 90 days? Realistic. Losing 50 in a month? Probably not, and setting it will only set you up for disappointment.

5. Timely

Always give your goals a deadline. Without a time frame, “make more money” can drag on forever. But “make $5,000 per month by June 1st”? Now you have a motivating finish line that keeps you focused and driven.

Set Your SMART Goals Today

By following the SMART formula, you’ll turn wishful thinking into purposeful action. Specificity, measurement, realism, attainability, and timeframes are the ingredients that successful goal-getters use to make even their most ambitious dreams a reality.

What goals will you set for yourself or your business this year? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to watch Torie Mathis’s full breakdown in the video above for even more actionable tips!

But goal setting is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to a smart marketing strategy. Let me ask you a question: Do you know how your marketing compares?

Find out by taking the SMART Marketing quiz. Get customized results on how to get smarter with your marketing, you’ll learn exactly what YOUR business should focus on, get customized recommendations to get the best bang for your marketing buck, and unleash your business’s true potential. It’s like having a personal marketing coach by your side!

And remember, you don’t need crazy tech skills, buckets of cash, or a dedicated staff to market your business; you don’t even need a lot of time.

What you need is to be smart, and goal setting is smart for your business.

If you're ready to grow your business with smart marketing you can:

1. Sign up for weekly FREE Business Bytes with CEO, Torie Mathis

2. Get a SMART Funnel and begin to automate your marketing

3. Learn Digital Marketing with a Smart Marketing Course

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: TORIE MATHIS

Torie Mathis helps entrepreneurs grow their business with Smart Marketing.  She is a best-selling author, Army veteran, international speaker + trainer, and the CEO + Creative Director at Lake Shark Media. She also teaches entrepreneurs how to get smart with digital marketing at toriemathis.com