Lesson Two: Measurable Goals
Welcome to lesson two, where we will discuss how to measure progress! In this lesson, we'll build upon the foundation of lesson one in order to remove a common version of vague terminology and replace it with specific wording.
Avoid abstract concepts
Just like we discussed in the last lesson, vague terms are unhelpful in goal setting. Phrases like "lose weight" or "read more" mean nothing, really. There is no way to determine if you've completed the goal in a satisfactory manner.
So you read one more word than before. Is that exactly what you meant? Or did you intend for something different?
Not having a specific measuring system can create a sense of disconnect with your goals. There is no real satisfaction upon completing your goals, as there will always be that thought of "Could I have done more?"
To prevent this, let's make sure to create specific measurement systems.
So you read one more word than before. Is that exactly what you meant? Or did you intend for something different?
Not having a specific measuring system can create a sense of disconnect with your goals. There is no real satisfaction upon completing your goals, as there will always be that thought of "Could I have done more?"
To prevent this, let's make sure to create specific measurement systems.
Decide your unit of measurement
Our main step is to decide what our possible units of measurement will be. The Minnesota Department of Health states that, "A measure is a number, percent, or standard unit used as a reference point from which change can be monitored" ("Objectives and goals: Writing meaningful goals and SMART objectives"). For each goal, there can be a variety of measurement options that we can choose from. The main idea is to make sure that whatever unit we decide will actually help us. Not all units of measurement are equal for each goal.
For example, if I wanted to read more books, it wouldn't necessarily be useful to use word count as a unit of measurement. It is possible, and could help me reach my goal, but it would be frustrating to count each word as I read, not to mention time-consuming! A word count goal is better suited to writing first drafts.
For example, if I wanted to read more books, it wouldn't necessarily be useful to use word count as a unit of measurement. It is possible, and could help me reach my goal, but it would be frustrating to count each word as I read, not to mention time-consuming! A word count goal is better suited to writing first drafts.
Not all units of measurement are equal for each goal."
A better unit of measurement might be amount of books, pages read, or time allotted.
The next step is to decide which of those possible units is most realistic for your goal. I might decide that I don't want to hold myself to a specific amount of books to read in a year, so I decide that I want to read a set amount of pages each day or read a certain amount of minutes everyday. So my goal might be "I will read 10 pages/weekday" or "I will read 10 minutes/day".
Conversely, I might decide that daily reading (or any set reading schedule) is unhelpful for me, so I decide that I'd rather select an amount of books to read. This allows me the opportunity to binge read, while also providing the flexibility to take days off. My goal then might be "I will read 25 books this year".
There is no right or wrong answer when determining your unit of measurement. The best course of action is deciding what provide the most support for you and will be most realistic for you.
The next step is to decide which of those possible units is most realistic for your goal. I might decide that I don't want to hold myself to a specific amount of books to read in a year, so I decide that I want to read a set amount of pages each day or read a certain amount of minutes everyday. So my goal might be "I will read 10 pages/weekday" or "I will read 10 minutes/day".
Conversely, I might decide that daily reading (or any set reading schedule) is unhelpful for me, so I decide that I'd rather select an amount of books to read. This allows me the opportunity to binge read, while also providing the flexibility to take days off. My goal then might be "I will read 25 books this year".
There is no right or wrong answer when determining your unit of measurement. The best course of action is deciding what provide the most support for you and will be most realistic for you.
Your Turn!
Now it's your turn. Pull out your workbook and grab something to write with (or prepare to type, if your working digitally). Flip to page 3, entitled "Lesson Two: Measurable Goals".
Step One: In the first box, write down a list of possible measurement units. Right now, you don't need to worry if any of them make sense. Allow yourself to brainstorm a few options.
Step Two: Look at your list of options and examine them critically. Which supports you best where you are right now? Which measurement seems most realistic? Incorporate that measurement into your goal.
And there you have it! You now know how you will measure the completion of your goal! Now, you can move into determining if this goal is achievable on your own or if you'll need help along the way.
Step One: In the first box, write down a list of possible measurement units. Right now, you don't need to worry if any of them make sense. Allow yourself to brainstorm a few options.
Step Two: Look at your list of options and examine them critically. Which supports you best where you are right now? Which measurement seems most realistic? Incorporate that measurement into your goal.
And there you have it! You now know how you will measure the completion of your goal! Now, you can move into determining if this goal is achievable on your own or if you'll need help along the way.
Works Cited
"Objectives and goals: Writing meaningful goals and SMART objectives." MN Department of Health, 3 October. 2022, https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/practice/resources/phqitoolbox/objectives.html