In an earlier lecture, we talked about the format and how to set up a smart goal. In this lecture, let's take a look at a specific example that I think will apply to you as you complete these course. We'll begin by composing what I call the Clarified Objective. This is the what we're going to do, part of the smart goal. As I indicated earlier we begin with a verb, in this case we're going to write. What is it we're going to write? We're going to write a leadership development plan. What are the clarifying information? Well that's contained in the instructions for the assignment. So we're going to write a leadership development plan that conforms to the requirements outlined in the assignment. This gives us the specific part of the goal that we're going to complete. So again, to refresh what the acronym means, specific, yes, we're talking about the Clarified Objective. It'll be measurable, and in this we're going to use not only the completion of the various action steps, but in this particular case, you have a rubric that you can use to assess, have you completed all the necessary elements satisfactorily? It'll be action oriented, yes, you're going to write this particular document. It will be realistic. Can it be done with the tools and resources available? We'll review the resources as part of our action planning part of the goal. It'll be time limited, yes you have to complete the assignment within the time bounds of completing this course. You have some flexibility in that, so, we'll build that into our action plan. With this information in hand, let's move now to looking at specifically the action plan. We begin by restating our Clarified Objective. What are the measurable target here? What's the measurable goal? Will all of the elements that need to be in that paper are going to be there? It will meet the requirements of the rubric and we utilize all the resources that you will have available to complete the paper. What's the time limit? You have to complete it before the end of the course. You have some flexibility in how you schedule your modules, so I've referred here to completing it at the end of the fourth module. This then becomes a statement of our SMART goal. As I said earlier, this is not complete until we do the action plan and identify the resources that we need. So let's take a look at the action plan. Here I've laid out the steps that I think logically fit with this assignment that you have to complete, and have identified a tentative timeline for when those particular items need to be completed. These are fairly easy to know whether you've completed it or now, so our measure really is, is the action item complete or not? These becomes a checklist that you can use as you prepare the paper for submission. Note that I also have added a supplemental time period where you actually have to conduct peer reviews for papers that your additional learners in the course, your associates in the course, will be completing at the same time. You don't get your grade until those peer reviews are completed. With the strategy in place, the action steps that we need to complete the paper, we can begin to look at the resources. Here are the list of resources that I think that you will need to complete the leadership development plan. These have been included either in the course or as part of the required course reading materials. Together, the statement of the SMART goal, the action plan, and the resources comprise a meaningful SMART goal that you can act upon. If you can use this format for all of your goals, whether they're your leadership goals or your technical goals, you will see dramatic improvement in all of your skills.
