1. Bill’s SMART Goal Tree In 10 months, improve my physical fitness.
Results Goal
Indicators
Measures
Targets
In 10 months,
improve my
physical
fitness.
Weight Loss
Scale
2 lbs. each week
Size of clothes
From size X to size Y
Cardiovascular
Fitness
Blood pressure
From 135/100
to 100/60
Heart rate
Resting < 100
Active < 180
Purpose: Personal example
Lecture Notes: Start with an example that the audience can relate to personally. Bill had a vision to improve his life. He could have chosen a spiritual, economic, social, or an emotional goal to reach his vision. Through reflection, he determined that the greatest area of need to reach this vision was physical fitness.
So Bill wrote a results goal stating that in 10 months (time bound) he would improve (attainable) his physical fitness (specific area). This is not completely SMART, it is a broad results goal that will become SMART as we complete the Tree Diagram.
He needed to determine what specific elements of fitness would best help him meet his goal. For him, it was weight loss, cardiovascular fitness and energy level.
Next, he needed to determine how he would measure each element or indicator. You can see that the measurements his selected were directly related to the indicator. It makes sense to use a scale to measure weight loss but it doesn’t make sense to use a scale to measure cardiovascular fitness, does it? Also, note that the measurements listed are both formative and summative type assessments. He actually wrote in his journal each week, developed a rubric to assess his energy level and how it changed.
Note connection between the measures and target.
Lastly, he had to determine his targets. How much progress does he want to see on his health indicator?
FACILITATOR NOTE: What does “from average 3 to 4” mean? (rubric for the day, 4= very good)
Activity Notes: Was Bill successful in building his tree? What more would you want to know about his goal? Is it attainable? How would you know? Can you make it even SMARTer? What else would you want to do now that you know the goal? (3 minutes)
FACILITATOR NOTE:
- One thing we don’t know is how much weight loss is desirable based on his starting point. In this scenario, if Bill loses 2 pounds per week over ten months, he’ll drop 80 pounds.
- The timeframe for each target should reflect what’s doable and what’s desirable (e.g. 2 pounds a week for weight loss could be reasonable whereas dropping a size might take a month.)
- By specifying how quickly he wants to see change, he will be better able to select the appropriate strategies or methods to get him there.
- What is missing are the methods he will need to engage in to reach the targets. (Show next slide)
Resources Required: Not in participant manual
Audience Reaction: Participant relate to the story telling.
Energy
Level
Journal
From avg. 3 to avg. 4

2. Bill’s Goal-Focused Plan
VISION:
Have a
high
quality
of life
Method
Exercise Classes
Healthy Eating
Support Group
Purpose: Connect the SMART Goal to vision and methods
Lecture Notes: Yes, there is more Bill could do to connect with his SMART Goal. The SMART Tree Diagram is “what” – not how I’m going to do about it. Methods, best practices, strategies, programs, processes are the actions for making goals a reality. In the case of Bill, he researched what really works in his target areas and then determined which methods to try. He joined an exercise class, went on a diet, had a fitness coach, and joined a support group.
SMART Goals are gap closers toward overall vision, in this case high quality life.
Activity Notes:
Resources Required: Not in participant manual
Audience Reaction: