You might try an exercise in two stages. Ask everyone to formulate and then share a personal goal - something outside of work. Maybe pair people off and get them to check each other according to the SMART formula.

Later, do the same, but for work goals. This would ease people into it.

On the subject of SMART, it certainly is a wonderful acronym. But for years, I've modified the meaning slightly. To me, the semantic differences between "A" for achievable and "R" for realistic are too subtle for most people to grasp. If it works for others, great. But I replaced the "A" with "appropriate".

Is the goal appropriate to your own background and experience? (e.g. It's tough to be on the Olympic basketball team if you're only 5 feet, 4 inches tall) Also, is it appropriate to other areas in the organization? (e.g. It might be tough for sales to obtain new customers, when the accounts' receivable department is tightening up on its credit rules.) And finally, is it appropriate to you? Is this an outcome that you can truly affect? (e.g. My mother in-law wishes that our family stays healthy. It's a nice wish, but not a goal that she can easily affect.)

And, while I'm at it, I also add to the "S" letter. In addition to specific, I also talk about selected (i.e. not too many) and substantive.

My experience though is that the measurable aspect is the one most people neglect most often. Get them to figure that out, and they'll be on their way.

Mark Ellwood
President, Pace Productivity Inc.

GetMoreDone.com

Hi
I agree with Mark, there is some confusion with the A & R in SMART objectives Follow the link to a page with some explinations on how to write SMART Objectives
Mike