Smarter Makes More Sense Than Smart

Whenever you read a piece on goal setting and planning you will inevitably be advised that your goals should conform to a variant of the SMART acronym:

Specific

Measurable

Ambitious

Realizable

Time bounded

I’m sure you can think of a bunch more words for the acronym but I also think it makes sense to add two more letters to make it SMARTER while you’re at it:

S M A R T E R

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Ambitious
  • Realizable
  • Time bounded
  • Engaging
  • Related to strategy

And come to think of it, let’s make it SMARTEST:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Ambitious
  • Realizable
  • Time bounded
  • Engaging
  • Strategically aligned
  • Transformative

But most importantly, don’t let it be STUPID:

S T U P I D

  • Short sighted
  • Time wasting
  • Unattainable
  • Pernicious
  • Incapable of directing action
  • Divisive