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Get Ahead in Esports with S.M.A.R.T. Goals: A Guide
What Does the S.M.A.R.T. Acronym Stand For?
In recent years, esports has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry with a rapidly expanding job market. With so many career opportunities available, it’s important to have a clear plan for achieving your professional goals. One effective way to do this is by setting S.M.A.R.T. goals. S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. By setting goals that meet these criteria, you can create a roadmap for your career in esports that is both effective and attainable.
The acronym stands for:
S – Specific
Be clear about what you want to achieve when you set a goal. Think of this as your goal’s mission statement. This is not a detailed list of how you’ll reach a goal, but it should answer the common “w” questions:
- Who – Think about who needs to be involved to reach the goal. This is especially important when working on a group project.
- What – Think about exactly what you want to do, and don’t be afraid to be specific.
- When – You’ll get more specific about this question in the “time-bound” section of defining S.M.A.R.T. goals, but you should at least set a time frame.
- Where – This question may not always apply, especially if you’re setting personal goals, but if there’s a place or event that’s important, list it here.
- Which – Find out if there are any problems or requirements. This question can help you figure out if your goal is reasonable. For instance, if you want to open a bakery but have never baked anything before, that could be a problem. Because of this, you might change the goal to “Learn how to bake so I can start a baking business.”
- Why? – What is the goal’s purpose? When it comes to using this method with employees, the answer will probably be something like company growth or career growth.
M – Measurable
What measurements will you use to see if you reach the goal? This makes a goal more real because it gives a way to track how far you’ve come. If the project will take a few months to finish, set some milestones by thinking about specific things to do.
A – Achievable
This is about figuring out how important a goal is to you and what you can do to reach it. This may mean learning new skills and changing your mindset. The goal is meant to make people want to work hard, not give up. Think about how you can reach your goal and if you have the tools and skills to do so. If you don’t have those tools or skills yet, think about what it would take to get them.
R – Realistic
Realistic relevance means putting your attention on something that makes sense in terms of your bigger goals. For instance, if you want to win Worlds, then you have to start gearing up for some local tournaments that set you on the path to your bigger goal. Or you may need to start practicing your aim and agility or studying maps that are relevant to where your weaknesses are.
T – Time-Bound
Anyone can make goals, but if you don’t set a realistic time frame, you’re probably not going to reach them. It is important to give a deadline for deliverables. Ask specific questions about the deadline for the goal and what can be done in that amount of time. If reaching the goal will take three months, it’s helpful to know what should be done halfway through. Putting a time limit on something also gives it a sense of urgency.
Related Resources: For S.M.A.R.T. Goals
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